Solution to Stoichiometric Equation

Solution of Stoichiometric Problem

Hello Everyone, So continuing with the last article ‘Introduction to Stoichiometry’, in this article we will learn the steps to solve a stoichiometric equation.

You should take the following steps in solving stoichiometric problems:

1. Make sure the chemical equation is correctly balanced. How do you tell if the reaction equation is balanced? Make sure the total quantities of each of the element on the left hand side equal to those on the right hand side. For example,

CH₄ + O₂  à  CO₂ + H₂O

Is not a balanced stoichiometric equation because there are four atoms of H on the reaction side (left hand side ) of the equation, but only two on the product side (right hand side) of the equation and also oxygen atom do not balance. The balanced equation is given by

CH₄ + 2O₂  à  CO₂ + 2H₂O

The coefficients in the balanced reaction equation have the unit of moles of a species reacting or produced relative to the other species reacting for the particular reaction equation. If you multiply each term in a chemical reaction equation by the same constant, say two, the absolute stoichiometric coefficient in each term doubles, but the coefficients still exist in the same relative proportions.

2. Use the proper degree of completion for the reaction. If you do not know how much reaction has occurred, you have to assume some amount, such as complete reaction.

3. Use molecular weights to convert mass to moles for the reactants and products and vice versa.

4. Use the coefficient in the chemical equation to obtain the molar amounts of products produced and reactants consumed by the reaction.

Steps 3 and 4 can be applied in a manner similar to that used in carrying out the conversion of units, which I guess you all have already read, due to its basic importance in process industry.

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