What are mole ratios?

1 Answer
May 29, 2014

The mole is the SI unit for the amount of a substance and the mole ratio is the ratio of the moles in a chemical formula or equation.

Example: Al_2O_3 has a Al:O mole ratio of 2:3

Example: 2H_2 + O_2 ===> 2H_2O the H_2:O_2 mole ratio is 2:1 and the H_2:H_2O mole ratio is 2:2 or 1:1.

The mole ratio is used to help convert from one substance to another, especially for changing grams of A to grams of B. Combined with molar mass the mole ratio is a very powerful tool.