Stoechiometry is a word that refers to the quantitative relationship between the elements in chemical compounds. The spelling of this word is based on the Greek word for "elemental proportion." It is pronounced /ˌstoʊkiˈɒmətri/, with stress on the second syllable. The "oe" in "Stoechiometry" is pronounced like the "i" in "oil," while the "ch" is pronounced as a voiceless velar fricative, like the "h" in "hat." The "metry" part is pronounced like "metry" in "geometry."
Stoichiometry is a concept in chemistry that refers to the quantitative relationship between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It is the study of the relative amounts of substances involved in a chemical reaction and the calculations associated with these amounts.
In stoichiometry, chemical equations are balanced to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This balanced equation represents the mole ratio of the reactants and products involved in a reaction.
Stoichiometry allows chemists to determine the theoretical yield of a reaction, which is the maximum amount of product that can be obtained from the given amounts of reactants. It also enables the calculation of the limiting reactant, which is the substance that is completely consumed in a reaction and limits the amount of product that can be formed.
Stoichiometric calculations involve the use of conversion factors, which are derived from the balanced chemical equation. These conversion factors allow for the conversion between moles of one substance to moles of another substance.
Stoichiometry is a fundamental concept in chemistry and is applied in various fields, such as industrial manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science. It helps chemists understand and predict the results of chemical reactions, optimize reaction conditions, and ensure efficient use of resources.
The word "stoichiometry" comes from two Greek words: "stoicheion" meaning "element" and "metry" meaning "measure". The term was introduced by the German chemist Jeremias Richter in 1792 to describe the branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction.