answer: Stoichiometry is a big word for a process that chemist’s use to calculate
amounts in reactions. It makes use of the coefficient ratio set up by balanced
reaction equations to make connections between the reactants and products
in reactions.
Stoichiometry calculates the quantities of reactants and products in a
chemical reaction. The equation must be balanced!
Questions that deal with amounts in reactions are examples of reaction
stoichiometry. We already have the tools necessary to solve this question.
We just need to learn a new way to apply skills such as writing chemical
formulas, calculating formula masses, and converting from mass to moles,
particles to moles, and volume of gases to moles.
Mole to Mole Conversions- you must have the Mole Ratio.
Illustration:
Let’s use an analogy that we can understand to begin to understand the process.
The KEY to any mole conversion is the ratio of coefficients in the reaction
equation. Say I want to make a bacon double cheeseburger. Let’s get our recipe
together.
1 hamburger bun + 2 hamburger patties + 2 slices of cheese + 4 strips of bacon →
1 bacon double cheeseburger
Based on this recipe:
1) If I have five bacon double cheeseburgers:
a. How many hamburger buns did you use? → 5 hamburger bun
b. How many hamburger patties did you use? → 10 hamburger patties
c. How many slices of cheese did you use? → 10 slices of cheese
d. How many strips of bacon did you use? → 20 strips of bacon
2) How many bacon double cheeseburgers can you make if you start with:
a. 2 buns, 4 patties, 4 slices of cheese, 8 strips of bacon
2 bacon double cheese burgers
b. 1 dozen buns, 2 dozen patties, 2 dozen slices of cheese, 4 dozen strips of bacon
1 dozen bacon double cheese burgers
