Borek said:
Equivalent weight, also known as gram equivalent weight, is a measure of the reactive capacity of a molecule or compound. It is the amount of a substance that reacts or combines with one mole of hydrogen ions (H+) or one mole of electrons.
The equivalent weight of a molecule is determined by dividing the molecular weight by the number of reactive units in the molecule. For example, if a molecule has two reactive units (such as two acidic hydrogen ions), the equivalent weight would be half of the molecular weight.
Knowing the equivalent weight of a molecule is important in various chemical calculations, such as determining the amount of a substance needed for a reaction or calculating the concentration of a solution.
Yes, the equivalent weight of a molecule can change depending on the reaction it is involved in. For example, a molecule may have a different equivalent weight when reacting with a different number of hydrogen ions or electrons.
Stoichiometry is the study of the quantitative relationships between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. Determining the equivalent weight of molecules is an important aspect of stoichiometry, as it helps in determining the correct ratios of reactants and products in a reaction.