Chapter 17, Problem 1RCQ

To determine

The purpose of coefficient in a chemical reaction should be explained.

Answer to Problem 1RCQ

Solution:

Coefficients are the numbers which is placed in front of the reactant and product and from this we can find the ratio in which they either combine to form. Every chemical compounds have a definite stoichiometry and from using this coefficient term we can also find the stoichiometry of the compound.

Explanation of Solution

• Coefficient is the numbers, placed in front of the reactant or product to show the ratio in which they either combine to form.
• It represents the number of individual atom and molecule.

Two molecules of Hydrogen $\left({\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\right)$ will react with one molecule of Oxygen ( ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$) to give two molecule of water.

${\text{2H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{+O}}_{\text{2}}\to {\text{2H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$

Simply the coefficients in the equation tell us the molar ratio of each substance in the reaction to every other substance.

From the above reaction we can understand that the coefficient used in the process of balancing equations, known as stoichiometry.

We add coefficient to compounds in chemical equation to assure that quantity of reactant reacted to produce certain quantity of product.

This ratio is important when calculating the quantity of reactant which produce certain quantity of product.

So without coefficient one can know that certain reactants will produce certain products, not the ratio in which they will react with each other.

Conclusion:

Coefficient of a chemical reaction is important and it will helps to calculate the quantity of reactant and product and it is used to balance the corresponding chemical reaction is one of the main purpose of coefficient in chemical equation, and the stoichiometry can also be find out with the help of coefficient term.