Here's how it works:
* Coefficients are the numbers written in front of each chemical formula in a balanced equation.
* These coefficients represent the mole ratio of reactants and products.
* For example, in the balanced equation: 2 H₂ + O₂ → 2 H₂O
* The coefficient 2 in front of H₂ indicates that two moles of hydrogen gas react.
* The coefficient 1 (implied) in front of O₂ indicates that one mole of oxygen gas reacts.
* The coefficient 2 in front of H₂O indicates that two moles of water are produced.
Therefore, the stoichiometric coefficients provide the quantitative relationship between the amounts of reactants and products in a reaction.
