Determination of stoichiometric coefficients by the matrix method

Abstract

The problem of calculating stoichiometric coefficients in a chemical equation can be solved by standard methods and the method of multidimensional vector space, but good knowledge of vector algebra is required. In this paper, the authors proposed a matrix method and other treatment of the problem was given as the authors' own interpretation. A matrix was formed in the form of base using all the elements which take place in a chemical reaction, after which the matrixes of all the chemical compounds were determined based on numerical indexes and element symbols. This approach enables the setting of a principal matrix equation based on a mathematical approach. The solutions of this matrix equation are the desired stoichiometric coefficients that form a balanced equation. A new approach to tabular solving is presented. This method, compared to existing standard methods, is faster, simpler, and more effective, especially for complex chemical equations. The method was tasted on examples from inorganic chemistry and metallurgy.

Keywords

• stoichiometric coefficients
• balanced chemical equations
• matrix equation
• matrix algebra
• technique of calculation in chemistry