STC_Reaction Stoichiometry Lesson

Reaction Stoichiometry

You now know the basic facts about the mole and how to write and balance equations. When you put those concepts together, you have what we call stoichiometry. Stoichiometry is a description of the relative quantities (by moles) of the reactants and products in a reaction as given by the coefficients in the balanced equation. Stoichiometry is founded on the  law of conservation of mass : the mass of the reactants equals the mass of the products.

Stoichiometry can be used to answer all kinds of questions...

  • How much product will this reaction make?
  • How much of a reactant will I need in order to make a certain amount of product?
  • Which reactant will I run out of first and need to reorder?
  • Of two reactions to make the same product, which one would be more efficient and require fewer products?

Knowing how to perform stoichiometric calculations is one of the most important skills as chemist can have.   So, let's learn it!

First, let's recall what we know about the mole.

FACTS about the MOLE 1 mol = 6.02 x 1023 atoms, molecules, etc. 1 mol = # g (found on periodic table) • #mol A = # mol B (from the balanced eqn.)

Watch this to see how all these facts about the mole come together in stoichiometry problems. Make sure to always work through the problems along with the video!

Remember to work on the module practice problems as you complete each section of content.  

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