Stoichiometry

Definition

Stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions using balanced chemical equations. It involves the use of molar ratios derived from these equations to predict quantities of substances consumed and produced.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Stoichiometric coefficients in a balanced equation represent mole ratios of reactants and products.
2. The Law of Conservation of Mass underpins stoichiometry, ensuring mass is conserved in reactions.
3. Limiting reagents determine the maximum amount of product formed in a reaction.
4. Molar mass is essential for converting between mass and moles in stoichiometric calculations.
5. Empirical formulas can be derived from stoichiometric analysis to determine the simplest ratio of elements in a compound.

Review Questions

• What role do stoichiometric coefficients play in balancing chemical equations?
• How does the limiting reagent affect the yield of a chemical reaction?
• Why is molar mass important in stoichiometric calculations?

Related terms

Mole Ratio:

A ratio between the amounts in moles of any two compounds involved in a chemical reaction.

Limiting Reagent:

The reactant that is entirely consumed first, limiting the amount of product formed.

Molar Mass:

\(\text{The mass} \ (g/mol) \text{of one mole of a substance.}\)