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Reaction Stoichiometry Overview

Aug 17, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers advanced topics in reaction stoichiometry, specifically focusing on stoichiometry involving solutions (using molarity) and gases (using the ideal gas law), with detailed example problems.

Solution Stoichiometry

  • Molarity measures the concentration of a solute in a solution as moles solute per liter of solution.
  • To find moles of solute: moles = molarity × volume (L); always convert mL to L.
  • Limiting reactant determines the maximum amount of product formed in a reaction.
  • In reactions, balance the chemical equation before performing calculations.
  • For example: 2.5 g magnesium reacts with 50 mL of 1.20 M HCl to yield MgCl₂; calculate moles for HCl and Mg, check limiting reactant, and convert moles of product to grams.
  • Always choose the smallest calculated product mass based on the limiting reactant.
  • Double displacement reactions form products by swapping ions between reactants (e.g., CaCl₂ + Na₂CO₃ → CaCO₃ + 2NaCl).
  • For each reactant, calculate moles present, determine limiting reactant, use stoichiometry to find product moles, and convert to grams with molecular weight.

Gas Stoichiometry

  • For gases, use the ideal gas law: PV = nRT, where n = moles, R = 0.08206 L·atm/mol·K, T in Kelvin.
  • To solve for gas volume: V = (nRT)/P.
  • Example: Given moles of H₂ produced, use the ideal gas law to calculate volume at specified temperature and pressure.
  • When given mass of a solid reactant (e.g., CaC₂), convert mass to moles, use balanced reaction for moles of gas produced, then use the ideal gas law for volume at given conditions.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Molarity (M) — moles of solute per liter of solution.
  • Limiting Reactant — the reactant that limits the amount of product in a chemical reaction.
  • Ideal Gas Law — equation (PV = nRT) relating pressure, volume, temperature, and moles of a gas.
  • Stoichiometry — calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Practice more stoichiometry problems involving solutions and gases.
  • Review the calculation steps for identifying the limiting reactant and applying the ideal gas law.
  • Watch for additional example solutions as suggested in the video.