| ="article_content"> | | | | Balancing a chemical equation refers to establishing |
| Mathematics is the queen of all | | | | the mathematical relationship between the |
| sciences’ — those are the words of | | | | amounts of reactants and products involved in |
| Carl Friedrich Gauss the greatest mathematician | | | | the chemical reaction. |
| of all time. | | | | Let’s go more in detail. |
| Mathematics is an important tool for science. Math | | | | A chemical equation is a statement that describes |
| is most widely used in other sciences. Physics, | | | | what happens in a chemical reaction. |
| Chemistry, astronomy, engineering rely most | | | | In a chemical equation, we place the reactants |
| heavily upon mathematical ideas. | | | | (substances undergoing chemical reaction) on the |
| Students who consider studying Physics or | | | | left side of the equation and the products |
| Chemistry will need a relatively strong Math | | | | (substances produced in a chemical reaction) on |
| background. | | | | the right side of the equation. We have reactants |
| Mathematics in Physics | | | | and products separated by an arrow and the |
| | | | arrow always points in the direction of the |
| Physics is the natural science which explores | | | | products. |
| concepts like mass, energy, matter and its | | | | Consider the reaction of carbon with oxygen gas |
| motions. Strong foundation in Algebra, | | | | to produce carbon-dioxide. |
| Trigonometry, Geometry, and calculus is essential | | | | C + O2 ---> CO2 (2 is subscript) |
| for physics. Mathematical methods are absolutely | | | | The above equation is already balanced, because, |
| necessary to deal with important concepts in | | | | it has an equal number of atoms of each element |
| physics. | | | | in the reactants and the product. One carbon |
| The following are some examples. | | | | atom (C) and two oxygen atoms (O) on the left |
| (1) Electromagnetic theory is the branch of | | | | side of the equation and it’s the same on |
| physics that studies the group of forces | | | | the right side too. |
| associated with electric charges. Vector Analysis is | | | | Let’s look at one more example. |
| very important for the understanding and | | | | Sodium chloride is the common salt. Sodium and |
| developing of Electromagnetic theory. | | | | chlorine form sodium chloride. |
| (2) Group theory is useful in Spectroscopy, | | | | Na + Cl2 ---> NaCl (2 is subscript) |
| Quantum mechanics, Solid state physics, and | | | | The above equation is NOT balanced. It has two |
| Nuclear physics. | | | | chlorine atoms on the left side, but, only one on |
| (3) Fourier techniques are important for the | | | | the right side of the equation. |
| analysis of all linear systems in physics. | | | | Let’s balance this chemical equation. |
| (4) Matrix Analysis is necessary for understanding | | | | 2Na + Cl2 ---> 2NaCl (2 is subscript only in Cl2) |
| Quantum Mechanics. | | | | It works! Notice that now there are equal number |
| (5) Complex numbers are used extensively in | | | | of atoms of each element in the reactants and |
| physics to describe Electromagnetic Waves and | | | | the product. |
| Quantum Mechanics. | | | | Chemical equations can be balanced conveniently |
| Mathematics in Chemistry | | | | using matrices or simultaneous equations. |
| Chemistry is the natural science which explores | | | | A number of fields of chemistry use a significant |
| the composition and properties of substances. | | | | amount of Math. |
| Math is essential for chemistry. The necessary | | | | |
| mathematical background for the study of | | | | (2) Electrochemistry is a branch of chemistry that |
| chemistry includes basic algebra, some | | | | studies the chemical action of electricity and the |
| trigonometry, and calculus. | | | | production of electricity by chemical reactions. |
| | | | Diffusion in electrochemistry is completely based |
| The following are some examples. | | | | on differential equations. |
| | | | (3) Biochemistry is the study of the chemical |
| (1) Being able to balance chemical equations is a | | | | processes in living organisms. Even biochemistry |
| very important skill for chemistry students. | | | | has important topics which depend heavily on |
| It’s a simple mathematical exercise. | | | | binding theory and kinetics. |