Balanced chemical equations are used in stoichiometric problems because they provide the mole ratios between reactants and products. These ratios are crucial in determining the amount of reactants needed or products formed in a chemical reaction.

Stoichiometry is the quantitative relationship between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows us to calculate the amount of reactants needed or products formed based on the given quantities.

A balanced chemical equation represents the reactants and products in a chemical reaction with their respective coefficients. These coefficients indicate the number of moles of each substance involved in the reaction.

By using a balanced chemical equation, we can determine the mole ratios between reactants and products. This means that for every set of reactants, there is a specific ratio in which they react and form the products. This ratio is determined by the coefficients in the balanced equation.

In stoichiometric problems, we can use these mole ratios to calculate the amount of reactants needed or products formed. We can convert between moles of reactants and products using the mole ratios from the balanced equation.

For example, if we have a balanced equation:

2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O

We know from the balanced equation that 2 moles of H2 react with 1 mole of O2 to produce 2 moles of H2O. This mole ratio allows us to calculate the amount of reactants needed or products formed based on the given quantities.

Overall, balanced chemical equations are essential in stoichiometric problems because they provide the necessary information about the mole ratios between reactants and products. This information allows us to calculate the quantities of substances involved in a chemical reaction.