How can I know the relative number of grams of each substance used or produced with chemical equations?

1 Answer
Aug 26, 2014

You use the balanced chemical equation and the molar mass of each substance.

Consider the reaction

2C₂H₂ + 5O₂ → 4CO₂+ 2H₂O

Below each substance, write its coefficient and molar mass, like this:

2C₂H₂ + 5O₂ → 4CO₂+ 2H₂O
2×26.04 g + 5×32.00 g → 4×44.01 g + 2×18.02 g
52.08 g + 160.0 g → 176.0 g + 36.04 g

This tells you that 52.08 g of C₂H₂ react with 160.0 g of O₂ to form 176.0 g of CO₂ and 36.04 g of H₂O.

The relative numbers of grams are

C₂H₂ : O₂ : CO₂ : H₂O = 52.08 : 160.0 : 176.0 : 36.04

Here's another example:

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