Module 4. Quantitative Analysis of Chemical Reactions

Background

Solid-fuel rockets are a central feature in the world’s space exploration programs, including the new Space Launch System being developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to replace the retired Space Shuttle fleet (Figure 1). The engines of these rockets rely on carefully prepared solid mixtures of chemicals combined in precisely measured amounts. Igniting the mixture initiates a vigorous chemical reaction that rapidly generates large amounts of gaseous products. These gases are ejected from the rocket engine through its nozzle, providing the thrust needed to propel heavy payloads into space. Both the nature of this chemical reaction and the relationships between the amounts of the substances being consumed and produced by the reaction are critically important considerations that determine the success of the technology.

This module will describe the quantitative relations between the amounts of substances involved in chemical reactions.  The mole is a unit of measure that allows us to quantify, or count, things on the submicroscopic level, such molecules, atoms, and ions. The term stoichiometry refers to the quantitative relationships between amounts of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. By putting stoichiometry to use, we can employ a powerful predictive and analytical method for understanding chemical reactions.

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In the news:  Here is a collection of New York Times articles about one’s carbon footprint.