Stoichiometry
Stoichiometry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative aspects of chemical reactions. The fundamental principle behind stoichiometry is the balanced chemical equation, which provides the ratios in which reactants react and products are formed. This section outlines the systematic approach to stoichiometric calculations. It emphasizes five key steps:
- Write a balanced chemical equation.
- Determine the molar ratios from the equation.
- Convert the given mass or volume to moles.
- Use the mole ratios calculated to find unknown values, such as mass, volume, or the number of particles.
- Apply these principles to deduce the theoretical yield of products in a chemical reaction.
Understanding stoichiometry is crucial for accurately predicting the amounts of reagents and products involved in chemical processes. This knowledge is applied in various fields including laboratory analysis, pharmaceuticals, chemical production, and environmental science.