Balanced equations interpreting information

Interpret information conveyed by a balanced chemical equation (Section 4.1). 

As indicated earlier, a chemical equation is a shorthand description of a chemical reaction. Interpretation of a balanced equation gives us the following information ... 

There are two general types of aerosol source apportionment methods dispersion models and receptor models. Receptor models are divided into microscopic methods and chemical methods. Chemical mass balance, principal component factor analysis, target transformation factor analysis, etc. are all based on the same mathematical model and simply represent different approaches to solution of the fundamental receptor model equation. All require conservation of mass, as well as source composition information for qualitative analysis and a mass balance for a quantitative analysis. Each interpretive approach to the receptor model yields unique information useful in establishing the credibility of a study s final results. Source apportionment sutdies using the receptor model should include interpretation of the chemical data set by both multivariate methods. 

You can get the same kind of information from a balanced chemical equation. In Chapter 4, you learned how to classify chemical reactions and balance the chemical equations that describe them. In Chapters 5 and 6, you learned how chemists relate the number of particles in a substance to the amount of the substance in moles and grams. In this section, you will use your knowledge to interpret the information in a chemical equation, in terms of particles, moles, and mass. Try the following Express Lab to explore the molar relationships between products and reactants. 

Reaction stoichiometry usually involves interpreting a balanced chemical equation to relate a given bit of information to the desired bit of information. 

Knowledge Required (1) The relationship between the volume of a gas at standard conditions and the number of moles present. (2) The interpretation of a balanced chemical equation. (3) The criteria for distinguishing essential information from nonessential information. 

Balanced chemical equations give us information in terms of individual molecules reacting in the proportions indicated by the coefficients, and also in terms of macroscopic amounts (that is, moles). Write a balanced chemical equation of your choice, and interpret in words the meaning of the equation on the molecular and macroscopic levels. 

Throughout this chapter we will often include the symbols for physical states (s, /, g, and aq) in balanced formula equations. You should be able to interpret these symbols when they are used and to supply them when the necessary information is available. 

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