What does it mean to add "1 equivalent" of something? I looked it up on google and couldn't really find a good explanation for it.
Thanks!
3
-
1$\begingroup$ An equivalent is an equivalent, it doesn't change its meaning in chemistry. What you are asking about is probably molar equivalent, but the name is also self-explanatory... $\endgroup$– andselisk ♦Mar 12, 2019 at 13:43
-
$\begingroup$ For example, read: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivalent_%28chemistry%29 and chem.ucla.edu/~harding/IGOC/O/one_equivalent.html $\endgroup$– Mathew MahindaratneMar 12, 2019 at 16:10
-
$\begingroup$ For detailed explanation for gen. chem, read: dl.clackamas.edu/ch105/lesson6acid_base_solutions.html $\endgroup$– Mathew MahindaratneMar 12, 2019 at 16:14
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
An equivalent is the factor of the number of molecules you need, at minimum, to carry out a reaction. The number of equivalent depends on your choice of what you consider is your main reactant.
Simply put, if you take a chemical equation where A + B → C, you need 1 eq. of B compared to A, i.e. you need one molecule of B for each molecule of A.
But sometimes, you can get something like 2A + B → C, and you want to know the "number of equivalent of B you should add to A". The quantity of B is one half that of A. If you consider your main reactant to be A, then you need to add only 1/2 (aka 0.5) equivalent of B.
