The Mole Ratio Method of Stoichiometric Calculations

The mole ratio method is a means of performing stoichiometric calculations based upon the constant ratios of the numbers of moles of various reactants and products, regardless of the overall quantity of reaction taking place. 

The mole ratio method greatly simplifies stoichiometric calculations. It can even be used to relate relative quantities of reaction participants in a series of reactions. For example, if a particular quantity of reactant is involved in a reaction followed by one or more additional reactions, the amount of a product in the final reaction is readily calculated by the mole ratio method. 

To illustrate the mole ratio method, consider a typical reaction, namely, that of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas to produce methane  

This reaction is called the methanation reaction, and is used in the petroleum and synthetic fuels industry for the manufacture of synthetic natural gas (CH4, the least polluting of the fossil fuels). From examination of the chemical equation, it is easy to obtain the ratio of the number of moles of any reaction participant to the number of moles of any other reaction participant, as shown in Table 5.1. 

The ratios given in Table 5.1 enable calculation of the number of moles of any reaction participant, if the number of moles of any other participant is known. For example, if it is known that 1.00 mol of Hj reacts, then the calculation of the number of moles of CH4 produced is simply the following  

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Briefly define and explain the mole ratio method of stoichiometric calculations. 

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