What does stoichiometry help to calculate?

Stoichiometry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the relationships between the quantities of reactants and products in chemical reactions. It is based on the conservation of mass, which states that in a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products. By using stoichiometric calculations, one can determine how much of each reactant is required to produce a specific amount of product, as well as the amounts of products formed from given quantities of reactants.

In practical terms, stoichiometry allows chemists to use balanced chemical equations to predict the outcomes of reactions. For example, if a reaction involves hydrogen and oxygen to produce water, stoichiometric calculations can determine how many grams of hydrogen are needed to react with a certain amount of oxygen. This quantitative aspect is crucial for practical applications in laboratories and industrial processes, ensuring that reactions are carried out efficiently and safely.