What is Stoichiometry?
Definition: Stoichiometry is composed of two Greek words. They are stoicheion, which means element, and metron, which means measure. It is the mathematical calculation of the quantities of the elements involved in the chemical reaction (includes compounds, elements, reactants).
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How does it relate to a chemical reaction?
Stoichiometry is the measurement and calculation of the mass of the reactants, elements and/or compounds involved in a chemical reaction. It deals only with quantitative analysis. It uses the mole ratio to mathematically calculate quantities in a chemical reaction. The mole ratio uses a conversion method of placing the unknown substance on top and the known substance on the bottom with the balanced quantities for both. The mole ratio is very important to stoichiometry and chemistry in general because it balances all proportions. |
This is a video introducing the processes involved in stoichiometry.
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Real life examples:
Baking and measuring
Say you want to bake brownies, but you only have half the amount of cocoa powder that the recipe calls for. What do you do? You cut the amount of every other ingredient in half so the proportions will work out. You just did stoichiometry - using math to make sure you have the right amount of everything. |
Manufacturing medicine
It is important to have the right quantities when manufacturing medicine. Too much of a medicine can cause an overdose, too little of a medicine can have no affect. Using stoichiometry, the right amounts can be determined. |