Coefficients

Definition

In chemistry, coefficients represent the number of units (usually molecules or moles) involved in a chemical reaction. They appear as numerical values placed before reactant and product formulas in balanced equations.

Related terms

Stoichiometry: The calculation of quantities in chemical reactions, based on a balanced equation.

Mole Ratio: The ratio between the amounts in moles of any two compounds involved in a chemical reaction.

Balanced Equation: An equation for a chemical reaction in which the number of atoms for each element in the reaction and the total charge are the same for both reactants and products.