"Why must a chemical reaction be balanced before it can be used in stoichiometry?"

Question

I mean, I get it, that the equation will be off if it doesn't start out balanced, but, why? How do I phrase that?

Answer 1

Stoichiometry is based on the realtionship between the mols of one material that reacts with (or produces) another. If the equation isn't balanced, the mole ratios don't reflect the true relationship and that leads to erroneous calculations and conclusions.

Answer 2

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