So, any possible quantities of two or more ingredients must have the same numerical ratio as the ratios in the equivalence. However, as far as this recipe is concerned, these are the equivalent quantities needed for a single recipe of pancakes. Where ⇔ is the mathematical symbol for “is equivalent to.” This does not mean that 2 c of pancake mix equal 1 egg. Because one recipe’s worth of pancakes requires 2 c of pancake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 c of milk, we actually have the following mathematical relationships that relate these quantities: How can we formalize this? We can make a conversion factor using our original recipe and use that conversion factor to convert from a quantity of one substance to a quantity of another substance, similar to the way we constructed a conversion factor between feet and yards in Chapter 1 "Measurements ". If you have 9 c of pancake mix, how many eggs and how much milk do you need? It might take a little bit of work, but eventually you will find you need 4½ eggs and 2¼ c milk. We can write this in the form of a chemical equation:Ģ c mix + 1 egg + 1/2 c milk → 1 batch of pancakes A recipe for pancakes calls for 2 cups (c) of pancake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 c of milk. Let us consider a more complicated example. Using stoichiometry is a fundamental skill in chemistry it greatly broadens your ability to predict what will occur and, more importantly, how much is produced. The relating of one chemical substance to another using a balanced chemical reaction is called stoichiometry. Both of them involve relating a quantity of one substance to a quantity of another substance or substances. Then what mass of oxygen do you need to make water?Ĭuriously, this chemical reaction question is very similar to the pound cake question. If the chemical reaction follows the balanced chemical equation (That’s why it’s called “pound cake.”) If you have 4 pounds of butter, how many pounds of sugar, flour, and eggs do you need? You would need 4 pounds each of sugar, flour, and eggs.