Calcium propionate is sometimes added to bread to retard spoilage. This compound can be prepared by the reaction of calcium carbonate, \(\mathrm{CaCO}_{3}\), with propionic acid, \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{CO}_{2} \mathrm{H}\), which has properties similar to those of acetic acid. Write the balanced equation for the formation of calcium propionate.

Chemical reactions are fundamental processes in which reactants transform into products through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. These reactions are governed by the law of conservation of mass, meaning the total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the products. Chemical reactions can be classified into several types, such as synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, and double replacement reactions.

In our example of calcium propionate production, the reaction involves calcium carbonate and propionic acid as reactants and yields calcium propionate and water, with carbon dioxide being released as a byproduct. This particular type of chemical reaction is a double replacement reaction because it involves the exchange of components between the reactants to form new products. Understanding the type and characteristics of the reaction is crucial because it can help predict the products and the conditions necessary for the reaction to occur.

Stoichiometry is the quantitative study of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It helps predict how much of each substance is needed to react completely without any excess. The principle of stoichiometry relies on the balanced chemical equation, which provides the mole ratio of reactants to products.

In the bread preservative example, we see that stoichiometry is essential for determining how much propionic acid is needed to react with a given amount of calcium carbonate to produce calcium propionate. The balanced equation tells us that two moles of propionic acid react with one mole of calcium carbonate. This ratio is essential for calculating the actual amounts of reactants needed in a real-world setting, such as a bakery seeking to optimize their use of preservative, minimizing waste and costs while achieving the desired effect.

Molecular formulas provide the exact number and type of atoms in a molecule of a compound. They are critical for identifying the composition of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. A molecular formula is distinct from an empirical formula, which gives the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound, but not necessarily the actual numbers of atoms present.

For instance, in calcium propionate, the molecular formula \( \mathrm{Ca(C}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{5}\mathrm{CO}_{2})_{2} \) tells us that in each molecule, there is one calcium atom, five carbon atoms, and seven hydrogen atoms, along with four oxygen atoms. Recognizing the molecular formula is important for completing and balancing chemical equations as it directly affects stoichiometry calculations.