Stoichiometric equation

An equation giving the proportions (called stoichiometric numbers) in which the chemical species (called reagents) are transformed into new species (called products).

It expresses the principle of conservation of the matter and for this reason such equations are conventionally written with the sign " = ".

For example, in the reaction for the synthesis of ammonia:

N₂ + 3 H₂ = 2 NH₃

The stoichiometric numbers correspond to the relative multiplication constants. Indeed, it would be equally valid to write

1/2 N₂ + 3/2 H₂ = NH₃

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