Using grammatically correct sentences, explain why is it not correct to state that if we start with 36 pounds each of \(\mathrm{G}, \mathrm{Ch}\), and \(\mathrm{M}\), then we should end up with \(3 \times 36=108\) pounds of S'mores.

One of the fundamental principles in chemistry is the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that in a closed system, mass is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction. Consequently, the mass of the reactants (the starting materials) must equal the mass of the products (the substances formed).

Applying this to the S'mores example, when combining 36 pounds each of graham crackers (G), chocolate (Ch), and marshmallows (M), the total mass does not simply add up because these ingredients undergo a combination process to form S'mores. Instead of ending with 108 pounds, the resulting S'mores will have a total mass that equals the sum of the mass of the individual ingredients before they were combined. Here, that mass will be 36 pounds because each unit of G, Ch, and M combines to form one unit of S'mores. Any excess of one ingredient does not contribute to the mass of the final product if there is not the corresponding amount of the others to combine with it.

In chemistry, the mole concept is pivotal for quantifying the amount of substance involved in a chemical reaction. A mole is defined as the amount of any substance that contains as many elementary units (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.) as there are atoms in exactly 12 grams of carbon-12.

This concept helps in understanding the composition of substances and stoichiometry by providing a way to convert between mass and number of molecules. For our S'mores exercise, instead of mass, if we considered the moles of G, Ch, and M, we would realize that a stoichiometric amount of each is required to make a set number of S'mores. Thus, regardless of how many moles (or pounds in this case) of each ingredient we have, it's the limiting reagent (the ingredient in the shortest supply) that determines the maximum amount of S'mores that can be produced.

Stoichiometric calculations involve using the relationships among reactants and products in balanced chemical equations to predict the amounts of products formed or reactants required. The essence of stoichiometry lies in the balanced recipe — each S'more requires equal parts of G, Ch, and M.

In the example, you cannot simply add the masses of G, Ch, and M to predict the mass of S'mores produced. Instead, you must use the ratio defined by the 'recipe' for S'mores. If the stoichiometric ratio is 1:1:1, then for each unit of G, one unit of Ch, and one unit of M will be required to make one S'more. If you have 36 pounds of each ingredient, you can make 36 pounds of S'mores, as each S'more combines one pound of each ingredient. The key to correct stoichiometric calculation is to ensure that the proportions are maintained as per the defined ratios, which, in this case, is what ensures the mass of the final product equals the mass one would start with, not tripled.