When I read this article, I found it to be very useful, specially for Chemistry students interested in applying techniques of algebraic maths in their studies.
It shows how matrices can be very easy to use in order to balance even the hardest chemical reactions.
For instance, in this reaction: MgO + Fe ---> Fe2O3 + Mg (unbalanced reaction), we simply add coefficients: a, b, c and d. The new reaction: aMgO + bFe ---> cFe2O3 + dMg
For Mg: 1a + 0b +0c = 1d
For Fe: 0a + 1b - 2c = 0d
For O: 1a + 0b - 3c = 0d
For Fe: 0a + 1b - 2c = 0d
For O: 1a + 0b - 3c = 0d
We now can balance the reaction using the matrices formulas as shown in the article above.
This application was very interesting and it taught me that a matrix can be applied in almost every aspect of study in other fields such as physics, computer science, accounting and as shown here computational chemistry.
It is amazing how elementary numbers can solve so many complex issues!!
Dear,
ReplyDeleteInteresting to know that matrices are used to balance Chemical Equations! Nice!
Thank you,
Zeina
Your full name please!
ReplyDeleteZeina
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI would like to tell you that your post is very nice. It really interested me because I love chemistry and I love everything related to it. It is really nice to know that matrices can be used to solve hard equations(new idea). Nice post
i think this post is great
ReplyDeletecoz i rly did find difficulties 2 balance chemical equations!! i think now i can balance them very easily.
nice 1
hello,
ReplyDeleteAt school they taught us how to balance chemical equations without knowing that it's related to matrices , well this post is good it helped me to link some ideas concerning chemistry that i do still remember from school.
Elie Karam
Full name??????????
ReplyDeletenice that matrices can help in equilibrating chemical reactions in this simple way
ReplyDeletenice topic anthony
hi miss it is anthony bou absy 20060760
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteThis post is very intriguing and by researching the subject, it has also come to my attention that using matrices is foolproof way of balancing equations!
If the determinant = 0, both the mathematical and the chemical equation can not be solved
It's possible to only have an solution to the mathematical equation but no solution to the chemical equation, for example
CH2O5 + O2 -> CO2 H2O
is a chemical equation that can not be balanced
but algebraical solution exist
4CH2O5 - 4O2 -> 4CO2+4H2O
Also, chemical reactions are classified as not feasible, uniquely-feasible (unique within relative proportions) and non-uniquely feasible, according to whether the nullity of the reaction matrix is zero, one, or more, respectively.
Balancing is a fundamental skill in chemistry, and although many have believed that the only method was trial and error, we now have a much more accurate mean!
For more info: http://mathdl.maa.org/mathDL/3/?pa=content&sa=viewDocument&nodeId=656
Jessica Moussa(LAU)