Separate chemistry 1 Study Guide

Atom economy is a measure of how efficiently reactant atoms are incorporated into the desired product. In chemical synthesis, it is important to minimise waste. A high atom economy indicates that a large proportion of the reactant atoms contribute to the main product, with minimal unwanted by-products. This concept is central to green chemistry, aiming to develop more environmentally friendly and sustainable chemical processes. Calculating atom economy involves comparing the total relative formula mass of the desired product(s) to the total relative formula mass of all reactants, expressed as a percentage. It is a theoretical value based purely on the balanced chemical equation.

A chemical cell, often referred to as a galvanic or voltaic cell, is a device that generates electrical energy from chemical reactions. This process involves the transfer of electrons between different chemical species. The cell continues to produce an electrical voltage, which drives a current through an external circuit, only as long as the reactants involved in these chemical reactions are available. Once one or more of these key reactants are fully consumed, the chemical reactions can no longer proceed, and consequently, the cell stops producing a voltage. This is why batteries eventually 'die' or run out of power.