Chapter 11, Problem 40A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for use of coefficients in mole ratios instead of subscripts needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The ratio of mass of substance to its molar mass is said to be number of moles of that substance.

The ratio of amount of any two compounds involved in a chemical reaction in terms of mole is said to be mole ratio, and used as a conversion factor between reactants and products.

Explanation of Solution

The coefficients in the balanced chemical equation represents the number(s) of particular substance involved in the reaction. Whereas the subscripts represent the number of atoms presents within a particular molecule. In a mole ratio, ratio of number of molecules consumed or formed in a reaction are used that’s why coefficients in mole ratios are used instead of subscripts.