Stoichiometry of equations through the Inverse de Donder relation

Abstract

AbstractThe stoichiometry of equations was revisited in light of the Law of Conservation of Matter at an atomic, elemental level. For a balanced chemical equation following the simplest general model aA → bB, the fact that ${a \over b} = {{{n_A}} \over {{n_B}}}$, where nA is the number of moles of A consumed and nB is the number of moles of B produced in the reaction during the experiment, was used to address the de Donder relation, introduced by Theophile de Donder (1873–1957). While crediting the Belgian scientist for pointing out that “the reaction-ratio method” may be utilized for stoichiometry, the inverse de Donder relation was applied to problems in reaction stoichiometry. Several examples were used to show that the latter relation can be used to form proportions in order to rapidly solve such stoichiometry problems and to do so with fundamental chemical understanding. Educators in general chemistry were encouraged to teach the discussed method in their courses.