Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

Chem 170

Stoichiometric Calculations

Module Five
Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical
Reactions

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

Introduction to Module Five

In the introduction to Module 4 we presented the following balanced recipe for a
cheeseburger.

1 hamburger patty + 1 slice of cheese + 1 English muffin +

3 pickles + 2 slices of onion + 1 squirt of mustard → 1 yummy cheeseburger

This recipe is helpful because it provides precise quantitative instructions for preparing
the ideal cheeseburger. For example, you need three pickles and two slices of onion, not
three slices of onion and two pickles. The same is true for a chemist interested in
synthesizing K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O using copper sulfate, CuSO4, and potassium oxalate,
K2C2O4. The balanced reaction

CuSO4 + 2K2C2O4 + 2H2O → K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O + K2SO4

shows that one mole of copper sulfate and two moles of potassium oxalate are needed to
prepare one mole of K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O.

Sometimes we need to scale-up or scale-down a reaction or recipe. Here, too, a balanced

reaction or recipe helps. For example, suppose you are preparing 12 cheeseburgers for a
picnic. Because you have the balanced recipe you know that you will need three pickles
per cheeseburger, or total of 36 pickles to make 12 cheeseburgers. In the same manner, a
chemist who needs to synthesize only 0.010 moles of K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O needs 0.010
mol CuSO4 and 0.020 mol K2C2O4. The general applications of stoichiometry are the
subject of this module.

Objectives for Module Five

In completing this module you will master the following objectives:

• to determine the moles or grams of one reactant needed to react completely

with a known amount of another reactant

• to determine the moles or grams of a reactant needed to prepare a known

amount of product

• to determine the expected moles or grams of a product given a known amount

of reactant

• to combine stoichiometric calculations with balancing reactions

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

Stoichiometric Unit Conversion Factors

In Module 1 we discussed a mathematical tool called dimensional analysis. As a
reminder, dimensional analysis is an approach to solving problems in which we convert
one unit to another by multiplying by a ratio of units that is equivalent to 1. For example,
in converting 6 feet to inches, we write

12 in
6.0 f/t × = 72 in
1 f/t

where the ratio 12 in/1 ft is called a unit conversion factor. In stoichiometric calculations
we will make use of two types of unit conversion factors: those showing a stoichiometric
ratio from a balanced chemical reaction

2 mol K 2 C2 O4
1 mol K 2 [Cu(C 2 O4 )2 ] • 2H 2O

and those for a compound’s molar mass

159.6 g CuSO 4
mol CuSO4

There are three general types of conversions in stoichiometric calculations; these are, in
increasing order of complexity

• converting from moles of one compound to moles of another compound, which

requires only a stoichiometric ratio

• converting from moles or grams of one compound to grams or moles of another

compound, which requires a stoichiometric ratio and one compound’s molar
mass

• converting from grams of one compound to grams of another compound, which

requires a stoichiometric ratio and the molar masses of both compounds

Mole-to-Mole Stoichiometric Calculations

Converting the moles of one species into the moles of another species is the simplest
possible calculation, requiring only a single unit conversion factor. Because the
stoichiometric coefficients in a balanced chemical reaction inform us of the mole-to-mole
ratio for any two species, we can write the appropriate unit conversion factor by
inspection. For example, in the introduction we note that it takes 0.020 mol of K2C2O4 to
make 0.010 mol of K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O. It is easy to set up a calculation to show this

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

2 mol K2 C 2 O4
0.010 mol K 2 [Cu(C2 O4 )2 ]• 2H2 O × = 0.020 mol K 2 C2 O4
1 mol K 2 [Cu(C2 O4 )2 ] • 2H2 O

Example 1. One of the key reactions in the production of photochemical smog is the
oxidation of nitric oxide, NO, to form nitrogen dioxide, NO2.

2NO + O2 →2NO2

How many moles of NO2 form when 0.158 mol of O2 are consumed?

Solution. The only unit conversion factor we need is the stoichiometric relationship
between moles of NO and moles of NO2; thus

2 mol NO
0.158 mol O 2 × = 0.316 mol NO
1 mol O2

Mole/Gram-to-Gram/Mole Stoichiometric Calculations

Suppose you wish to synthesize 0.010 mol of K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O. Using the balanced
reaction, it is easy to show that this requires 0.010 mol CuSO4 and 0.020 mol K2C2O4. A
laboratory balance, however, measures amounts in grams, not moles. Calculating the
required mass of CuSO4 given the desired moles of K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O is easily
accomplished using the compound’s molar mass; thus

159.6 g CuSO 4
0.010 mol CuSO4 × = 1.6 g CuSO 4
mol CuSO4

Normally, we combine these two steps – converting moles of K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O to

moles of CuSO4, and moles of CuSO4 to grams of CuSO4 – into one calculation using
two unit conversion factors

1 mol CuSO 4
0.010 mol K 2 [Cu(C2 O4 )2 ]• 2H2 O ×
1 mol K 2 [Cu(C2 O4 )2 ] • 2H2 O
159.6 g CuSO 4
× = 1.6 g CuSO 4
mol CuSO4

Combining two or more conversions between units in a single stoichiometric calculation

is an important skill. These calculations can be done step-by-step, but it is more time
consuming. Both approaches are shown in the following example; the module’s
remaining examples, however, emphasize using a single calculation.

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

Example 2. Astronauts used to carry canisters of LiOH to remove CO2 from the closed
environment of a space capsule. The balanced reaction for this process is

2LiOH + CO2 → Li2CO3 + H2O

How many grams of CO2 are removed by a canister containing 53.3 mol LiOH?

Solution. Two unit conversion factors are need to complete this calculation – the
stoichiometry between LiOH and CO2, and the molar mass for CO2. Taking the
calculation step-by-step, we first calculate the moles of CO2 equivalent to 53.3 mol LiOH
and then convert the moles of CO2 to grams of CO2.

1 mol CO2
53.3 mol LiOH × = 26.65 mol CO2
2 mol LiOH

44.01 g CO2 3
26.65 mol CO 2 × = 1.17 × 10 g CO2
mol CO2

Of course, we can combine the two steps into a single calculation, as shown here.

1 mol CO2 44.01 g CO2 3

53.3 mol LiOH × × = 1.17 × 10 g CO2
2 mol LiOH mol CO 2

The next example shows how a stoichiometric calculation involving a gram-to-mole

conversion can be used to compare two reactions.

Example 3. Baking soda, NaHCO3, and milk of magnesia, Mg(OH)2, are two
compounds used as antacids to neutralize stomach acid, H+. The relevant reactions are

NaHCO3 + H+ → Na+ + H2O + CO2 Mg(OH)2 + 2H+ → 2H2O + Mg2+

Which antacid neutralizes the most H+ per gram?

Solution. Using 1.00 g of each antacid, we find that Mg(OH)2 is the most effective.

+
1 mol NaHCO3 1 mol H +
1.00 g NaHCO 3 × × = 0.0119 mol H
84.01 g NaHCO 3 1 mol NaHCO 3

+
1 mol Mg(OH) 2 2 mol H +
1.00 g Mg(OH)2 × × = 0.0343 mol H
58.33 g Mg(OH)2 1 mol Mg(OH)2

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

Gram-to-Gram Stoichiometric Calculations

The most common stoichiometric calculations are those in which the mass of one species
is converted to the mass of another species. For example, we many need to calculate the
grams of CuSO4 needed to react completely with 0.231 g K2C2O4, or the grams of
K2[Cu(C2O4)2]•2H2O expected when completely reacting 0.231 g K2C2O4. Such
calculations require three unit conversion factors – the molar mass of the first compound,
the stoichiometric ratio between the compounds, and the molar mass of the second
compound; thus

1 mol K 2C 2O 4 1 mol CuSO 4 159.6 g CuSO 4

0.231 g K 2C 2O 4 × × × = 0.111 g CuSO 4
166.2 g K 2C 2O 4 2 mol K 2C 2O 4 1 mol CuSO 4

Example 4. A typical problem in the iron industry is determining how much carbon is
needed to reduce the iron in Fe2O3 to Fe. The reaction of interest is

Fe2O3 + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO

How many grams of C are needed to completely reduce 5.00× 105 g Fe2O3? How many
grams of Fe are expected to be produced?

Solution. Working the problem step-by-step, we first calculate the moles of Fe2O3 in
5.00 × 105 g

5 1 mol Fe2 O3 3
5.00 × 10 g Fe2 O3 × = 3.131× 10 mol Fe2O3
159.7 g Fe2 O3

Next, we calculate the moles of C needed to react with 3.131× 103 mol Fe2O3

3 3 mol C 3
3.131 × 10 mol Fe2 O3 × = 9.393 × 10 mol C
1 molFe2 O3

Finally, we calculate the grams of C in 9.393× 103 mol C

3 12.01 g C 5
9.393 × 10 mol C × = 1.13 × 10 g C
1 mol C

To find the expected grams of Fe produced from 5.00× 105 g Fe2O3 we will combine the
three steps into a single calculation; thus

5 1 mol Fe 2 O3 2 mol Fe 55.85 g Fe 5

5.00 × 10 g Fe2 O3 × × × = 3.50 × 10 g Fe
159.7 g Fe2 O3 1 mol Fe 2 O3 1 mol Fe

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

As shown in the next example, it is possible to carry out stoichiometric calculations over
two (or more) reactions, provided that a product of one reaction is a reactant in the
following reaction.

Example 5. In Example 2 we saw how LiOH is used to remove CO2 from the
atmosphere of a closed space capsule. Another approach is use potassium superoxide,
KO2. As shown by the following two reactions

4KO2 + 2H2O → 3O2 + 4KOH

KOH + CO2 → KHCO3

using KO2 allows for the removal of both CO2 and H2O, while also providing additional
O2 for breathing. When spent, the canister, which originally contained only KOH,
contains only KHCO3. Suppose that a typical canister contains 500.0 g KO2. How much
will the canister’s contents weigh after absorbing as much H2O and CO2 as it can?

Solution. We begin by calculating the grams of KOH in the canister when the all the
KO2 has reacted.

1 mol KO2 4 mol KOH 56.11 g KOH

500.0 g KO2 × × × = 394.59 g KOH
71.10 g KO2 4 mol KO2 1 mol KOH

Next, we convert the mass of KOH to the mass of KHCO3.

1 mol KOH 1 mol KHCO3 100.1 g KHCO3

394.59 g KOH × × × = 703.9 g KHCO 3
56.11 g KOH 1 mol KOH 1 mol KHCO3

Note that these two calculations can be combined into a single calculation by using all
four-unit conversion factors.

1 mol KO2 4 mol KOH 1 mol KHCO3

500.0 g KO2 × × ×
71.10 g KO2 4 mol KO2 1 mol KOH
100.1 g KHCO 3
× = 703.9 g KHCO3
1 mol KHCO3

Combining Balancing Reactions and Stoichiometric Calculations

The last topic for this module combines the lessons learned here with the lessons of
Module 4. Be sure to verify that the reactions provided to you are balanced, or write a
balanced reaction if you are provided only with a verbal description.

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

Example 6. When octane, C8H18, is burned in the presence of excess O2, the usual
products of carbon dioxide, CO2, and water, H2O, form. Write a balanced chemical
equation for this reaction and calculate the grams of H2O produced from the combustion
of 7.90× 102 g C8H18.

Solution. The unbalanced reaction is

C8H18 + O2 → CO2 + H2O

Balancing C and H gives

C8H18 + O2 → 8CO2 + 9H2O

Next, balancing O gives

2C8H18 + 25O2 → 16CO2 + 18H2O

Finally, we convert the mass of C8H18 to the mass of H2O

1 mol C8 H18 18 mol H 2 O 18.02 g H 2O

7.90 × 102 g C 8H18 × × × = 1.12 × 10 3 g H 2O
114.2 g C8 H18 2 mol C8 H18 1 mol H 2 O

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

Practice Problems
The following problems provide practice in meeting this module’s objectives. Answers
are provided on the last page. Be sure to seek assistance if you experience difficulty with
any of these problems. When you are ready, schedule an appointment for the module
exam.

1. During his or her lifetime, the average American uses approximately 795 kg of Cu in
the form of coins, plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring. Most of this copper is
obtained from sulfide ores, such as chalcocite, Cu2S. To obtain the copper metal, the
chalcocite is first roasted (heated in the presence of oxygen), forming a copper oxide,
Cu2O. The balanced reaction for this process is

2Cu2S + 3O2 → 2Cu2O + 2SO2

How many moles of O2 are needed to roast 10.0 mol of Cu2S? How many grams of
SO2 are formed when roasting 10.0 mol of Cu2S? How many kilograms of O2 are
required to form 2.68 kg Cu2S?

2. Hydrofluoric acid, HF, cannot be stored in glass containers because it reacts with the
silicates in glass. The relevant reaction is

Na2SiO3 + 8HF → H2SiF6 + 2NaF + 3H2O

How many moles of HF are required to dissolve 0.500 mol Na2SiO3? How many
grams of Na2SiO3 can be dissolved by 0.500 mol HF?

3. Aspirin, C9H8O4, is synthesized by the following reaction between salicylic acid,

C7H6O3, and acetic anhydride, C4H6O3

C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 → C9H8O4 + C2H4O2

The other product of the reaction is acetic acid. How many grams of acetic anhydride
are needed to completely react with 1.00× 102 g of salicylic acid? How many grams
of aspirin are expected as a product?

4. In 1774, the British chemist Joseph Priestly prepared oxygen, O2, for the first time by
heating a sample of mercury oxide, HgO.

2HgO → 2Hg + O2

Mercury is another product of the reaction. Suppose a sample of HgO completely

decomposes, producing 6.47 g of O2. How many grams of Hg are obtained?

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

5. In a catalytic converter, the gases NO (a major pollutant) and CO (very toxic) are
converted to the harmless gases N2 and CO2. The reaction is

2NO + 2CO → N2 + 2CO2

How much NO gas is needed to completely react with 100.0 g CO?

6. Industrial plants burning “dirty” coal as a source of energy generate foul smelling
sulfur dioxide, SO2, as a by-product. The reaction responsible for this is

S + O2 → SO2

If a plant burns 3.00× 102 kg of coal that is 0.5% S by mass, how many kg of sulfur
dioxide are produced?

7. The surface atoms of aluminum metal corrode in air to form an impervious aluminum
oxide coating that prevents further corrosion. The oxidation reaction is

4Al + 3O2 → 2Al2O3

How many micrograms of Al2O3 form when 10.0 μg of Al undergo oxidation? How
many atoms of Al is this?

8. Camels store the fat tristearin, C57H110O6, in their humps. In addition to being a
source of energy, the fat also serves as a source of water because the fat’s oxidation

2C57H110O6 + 163O2 → 114CO2 + 110H2O

generates H2O as a product. How many kilograms of water can a camel obtain from
2.5 kg of tristearin?

9. Thermite is a mixture of Fe2O3 and Al powder that was once used to weld railroad
tracks. A portion of the powdered mixture is placed on the pieces to be welded
together and ignited using a fuse. The resulting reaction, which is shown here

Fe2O3 + 2Al → Al2O3 + 2Fe

is spectacular, producing molten iron and aluminum oxide as products. How many
grams of Fe form when 13.5 g Al react completely?

10. An intermediate step in the industrial production of nitric acid, HNO3, is the reaction
of ammonia, NH3, with oxygen gas, O2, to form nitrogen monoxide, NO, and water,

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

H2O. Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction and determine how many
grams of NO can form by the reaction of 466 g NH3.

11. Problem 1 shows the first step in extracting Cu from Cu2S

2Cu2S + 3O2 → 2Cu2O + 2SO2

In the second step, the Cu2O reacts with C, producing copper metal and carbon
monoxide

Cu2O + C → 2Cu + CO

How many grams of Cu can be produced from every 1.0 grams of Cu2S?

12. Upon heating, carbonate and bicarbonate minerals decompose to produce oxides and
carbon dioxide. For example, here are the balanced reactions for the decomposition
of three minerals

2KHCO3 → K2O + H2O + 2CO2

Na2CO3 → Na2O + CO2

Mn(CO3)2 → MnO2 + 2CO2

Which of these three minerals produces the most CO2 per gram of mineral and, to two
significant figures, how many grams of CO2 does it produce per gram of mineral?

13. One source of the element molybdenum is an ore containing molybdenum sulfide,
MoS2. The ore is “roasted” by heating in the presence of oxygen, producing
molybdenum oxide, MoO3, and sulfur dioxide, SO2.

MoS2 + O2 → MoO3 + SO2

Upon its emission into the environment, sulfur dioxide reacts with other atmospheric
gases to produce sulfuric acid, H2SO4, one source of acid rain.

SO2 + O2 + H2O → H2SO4

Balance both reactions and determine how much sulfuric acid is expected from the
roasting of 5.00× 102 kg of MoS2.

14. Smoke screens used by military are produced by mixing titanium tetrachloride, TiCl4,
with water, H2O, producing titanium dioxide, TiO2, and hydrogen chloride, HCl, as

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

products. Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction and determine how
many grams of titanium dioxide can be made from 10.0 g of titanium tetrachloride.

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 Module Five – Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions

Answers to Practice Problems

1. 15.0 mol O2, 641 g SO2, 0.808 kg O2

2. 4.00 mol HF, 7.63 g Na2SiO3

3. 73.9 g C4H6O3, 1.30× 102 g C9H8O4

4. 81.1 g Hg

5. 107.1 g NO

6. 3.00 kg SO2

7. 18.9 μg Al2O3, 2.23× 1017 atoms of Al

8. 2.8 kg H2O

9. 27.9 g Fe

10. 4NH3 + 5O2 → 4NO + 6H2O, 821 g NO

11. 0.80 g Cu

12. Mn(CO3)2, 0.50 g CO2/g mineral

13. 2MoS2 + 7O2 → 2MoO3 + 4SO2, 2SO2 + O2 + 2H2O → 2H2SO4, 613 kg H2SO4

14. TiCl4 + 2H2O → TiO2 + 4HCl, 4.21 g TiO2

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