Stoichiometry
Stoichiometry is, in a sense, applied dimensional analysis.
To access the information on dimensional analysis click this link: Units/Dimensional Analysis
You might be asking “where do the two topics differ?” Well, there are a couple of ideas/topics that we use in chemistry that aren’t necessarily common in the dimensional analysis of other subjects. Below are some vocabulary and common conversion factors that are used in chemistry dimensional analysis (stoichiometry).
Stoichiometry Vocabulary
limiting reactant: the reactant in the chemical reaction that is totally used up when the reaction reaches completion
theoretical yield: the maximum (theoretical) yield that is expected as the product of a chemical reaction; when all the limiting reactant has been reacted
actual yield: the measured quantitative amount of product experimentally determined
percent yield: the ratio of actual yield to theoretical yield as a percentage
moles: a conversion factor commonly used in chemistry in relation to Avogadro’s number; moles is a unit to represent many things; commonly it is used to convert between mass and particles
Avagadro’s number: 6.022 × 1023
1 mole = 6.022 × 1023 units
Reasoning through stoichiometry problems (~6 minutes)
Things to remember:
Always balance your reaction
You can use a balanced chemical reaction as a conversion
Stoichiometry is used when calculating the limiting reactant