Question

What parts of balanced chemical equations give information about the relative numbers of moles of reactants and products involved in a reaction?

Short answer

The stoichiometric coefficients in a balanced chemical equation give information about the relative numbers of moles of reactants and products involved in a reaction. These coefficients are the numbers written in front of each species participating in the reaction and ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the reaction, obeying the law of conservation of mass. The stoichiometric coefficients represent the relative moles of reactants and products, allowing us to calculate the amounts needed for or produced in the reaction. For example, in the equation CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O, the coefficients indicate that 1 mole of CH4 reacts with 2 moles of O2 to produce 1 mole of CO2 and 2 moles of H2O.

Step-by-step solution

Balanced Chemical Equation

A balanced chemical equation is a representation of a chemical reaction in which the number of atoms of each element in both the reactants and the products are the same. Balanced chemical equations obey the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. Example of a balanced chemical equation: CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O

Identification of Reactants and Products

In a balanced chemical equation, the reactants are written on the left side of the reaction, while the products are written on the right side of the reaction. The arrow symbol (->) separates reactants from products. In the given example, CH4 (Methane) and 2O2 (Oxygen) are the reactants and CO2 (Carbon dioxide) and 2H2O (Water) are the products.

Stoichiometric Coefficients

Stoichiometric coefficients are the numbers written in front of each species participating in the reaction, which denote their relative amounts. These coefficients are used to balance the equation, ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the reaction. In the given example, the stoichiometric coefficients are: 1 (for CH4), 2 (for O2), 1 (for CO2), and 2 (for H2O).

Relative Moles of Reactants and Products

The stoichiometric coefficients give information about the relative number of moles of reactants and products involved in the reaction. A balanced chemical equation conveys the stoichiometric relationship between reactants and products, which allows us to calculate the amount of each substance needed for the reaction or the amount of each substance produced in the reaction. In the given example, the stoichiometric coefficients indicate that: - 1 mole of CH4 reacts with 2 moles of O2. - 1 mole of CO2 is produced. - 2 moles of H2O are produced. The stoichiometric coefficients (relative number of moles) are the parts of the balanced chemical equations that give information about the relative numbers of moles of reactants and products involved in a reaction.