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When you write a balanced chemical equation, the number of atoms that go into the reaction (as reactant) must equal the number of atoms that come out as products (for each type of atom). To balance a chemical equation, you must use coefficients in front of molecules to make these numbers come out right so that the reaction is balanced. Stoichiometry allows you to use these coefficients to predict how much of a certain molecule you will create for a reaction if you put in a certain amount of reactants. Let me illustrate with an example (which is the burning of propane gas in oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water):
C3H8 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O
This reaction is not balanced though (Look at how many C atoms go in and how many come out. Do the same with O and H. More go in than come out, right?). Instead it should be:
C3H8 + 5O2 --> 3CO2 + 4H2O
This balanced reaction tells us then that for each propane molecule, C3H8, that is burned, it will produce 3 molecules of carbon dioxide, CO2, and also 4 molecules of water, H2O. The ratio is 1 to 3 for carbon dioxide, and 1 to 4 for water. I can also say that if I know that I burned propane, and I produced 8 molecules of water, I know that I must have burned 2 molecules of C3H8.
The ratio is always 1 to 4, just like in balanced reaction above. It is all based on the ratio of the coefficients. I haven't mention oxygen yet, but it's the same thing. If I burn 1 molecule of propane, I'll need 5 of O2 in order for the reaction to work. The ratio here is 1 to 5. I can even say that if I burned propane and I get 5 molecules of water out, than I must have used 5 molecules of oxygen (and 1 molecule of propane, and also I got out 3 molecules of carbon dioxide along with the water!). The ratio is then 1:5:3:4, which is just like in the balanced reaction above. Note that we usually don't talk about single molecules burning, but rather moles of molecules (which is just a whole lot of molecules). The same rules work in exactly the same way with moles. If I burn 5 moles of propane, I know I will produce 15 moles of carbon dioxide and 20 moles of water. Or if I use up 5 moles of oxygen burning propane, I'll have burned 1 mole of propane, and made 3 moles of CO2 and 4 moles of H2O.
it is the study of relative proportions in which substances react or in which elements form compounds.
What else can I help you with?
What are the two kinds of stoichiometry?
The two kinds of stoichiometry are composition stoichiometry, which involves calculating the mass percentage of each element in a compound, and reaction stoichiometry, which involves calculating the amounts of reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction.
What is an example of stoichiometry?
An example of stoichiometry is determining the amount of product that can be produced in a chemical reaction. For instance, if you have the balanced chemical equation 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O, and you know you have 4 moles of H2 and 2 moles of O2, you can use stoichiometry to calculate that you can produce 4 moles of H2O.
What is Stoichiometry and non-stoichiometry defect?
Stoichiometry is the relationship between the amounts of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. Non-stoichiometry defects occur when there is a deviation from the ideal ratio of atoms in a compound due to factors like missing or extra atoms, resulting in properties different from those of a stoichiometric compound.
What is the first step in stoichiometry problems is to?
The first step in stoichiometry problems is to write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction you are studying.
How can you identify a stoichiometry problem?
Stoichiometry problems involve calculating the quantities of reactants and products in a chemical reaction based on balanced chemical equations. You can identify a stoichiometry problem if you are given information about the amounts of substances involved in a reaction, and you need to determine the amounts of other substances produced or consumed.
What are the two kinds of stoichiometry?
The two kinds of stoichiometry are composition stoichiometry, which involves calculating the mass percentage of each element in a compound, and reaction stoichiometry, which involves calculating the amounts of reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction.
What is an example of stoichiometry?
An example of stoichiometry is determining the amount of product that can be produced in a chemical reaction. For instance, if you have the balanced chemical equation 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O, and you know you have 4 moles of H2 and 2 moles of O2, you can use stoichiometry to calculate that you can produce 4 moles of H2O.
What is Stoichiometry and non-stoichiometry defect?
Stoichiometry is the relationship between the amounts of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. Non-stoichiometry defects occur when there is a deviation from the ideal ratio of atoms in a compound due to factors like missing or extra atoms, resulting in properties different from those of a stoichiometric compound.
What is the first step in stoichiometry problems is to?
The first step in stoichiometry problems is to write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction you are studying.
The mathematics of chemistry is called?
stoichiometry
How do chemists use ratios?
stoichiometry
What is the best part of chemistry?
Stoichiometry
Is there a type of chemistry that does not involve Stoichiometry?
No
How can you identify a stoichiometry problem?
Stoichiometry problems involve calculating the quantities of reactants and products in a chemical reaction based on balanced chemical equations. You can identify a stoichiometry problem if you are given information about the amounts of substances involved in a reaction, and you need to determine the amounts of other substances produced or consumed.
What is stoichiometry all about?
Stoichiometry is about the Lavoisier's principle on the conservation of mass and elements in chemical reactions.[Cf. Related links on A. Lavoisier, below this answer]
What has the author Keith F Purcell written?
Keith F. Purcell has written: 'Stoichiometry' -- subject(s): Problems, exercises, Stoichiometry
What is the first step in stoichiometry?
The first step in stoichiometry is to balance the chemical equation by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is essential for accurately determining the stoichiometry of a reaction.
