Chemical Process Fundamentals & Reactions Flashcards

What is stoichiometry used for in chemical process operations?

Answer: Calculating the quantitative relationships between reactants and products

Stoichiometry uses balanced chemical equations to calculate the exact amounts of reactants needed and products formed in a chemical reaction.

What is activation energy in the context of chemical reactions?

Answer: The minimum energy required for reactants to form products

Activation energy is the minimum energy that reactant molecules must have for a collision to result in a chemical reaction.

In a neutralization reaction between a strong acid and a strong base, what are the typical products?

Answer: A salt and water

A neutralization reaction between an acid (H⁺ donor) and a base (OH⁻ donor) produces a salt and water.

In terms of electron transfer, what is oxidation?

Answer: Loss of electrons by a species

Oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons by a substance; the mnemonic OIL RIG (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain) helps remember this.

What does the equilibrium constant (Keq) indicate about a chemical reaction?

Answer: The ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations at equilibrium

Keq is the ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations (each raised to their stoichiometric coefficients) at equilibrium, indicating the extent of reaction.

What is the mole concept, and why is it important in chemical process calculations?

Answer: A counting unit representing 6.022 × 10²³ particles, enabling mass-to-particle conversions

The mole (Avogadro's number = 6.022 × 10²³) allows technicians to relate macroscopic masses to numbers of atoms or molecules for reaction calculations.

Which of the following correctly describes an endothermic chemical reaction?

Answer: Absorbs heat from surroundings; products are at higher energy than reactants

An endothermic reaction absorbs heat from the surroundings (ΔH > 0), meaning the products have more enthalpy than the reactants.