x will be the weight of hydrogen set free by 50 g. of zinc. The weight of zinc sulphate produced at the same time can be found from the proportion
65.4 : 161.46 :: 50 : x;
where 161.46 is the molecular weight of the zinc sulphate, and x the weight of zinc sulphate formed. In like manner, the weight of sulphuric acid used up can be calculated from the proportion
65.4 : 98.076 :: 50 : x.
These simple calculations are possible because the symbols and formulas in the equations represent the relative weights of the substances concerned in a chemical reaction. When once the relative weights of the atoms have been determined, and it has been agreed to allow the symbols to stand for these relative weights, an equation or formula making use of the symbols becomes a statement of a definite numerical fact, and calculations can be based on it.
Chemical equations not algebraic. Although chemical equations are quantitative, it must be clearly understood that they are not algebraic. A glance at the equations
7 + 4 = 11, 8 + 5 = 9 + 4
will show at once that they are true. The equations
HgO = Hg + O, FeO = Fe + O
are equally true in an algebraic sense, but experiment shows that only the first is true chemically, for iron oxide (FeO) cannot be directly decomposed into iron and oxygen. Only such equations as have been found by careful experiment to express a real chemical transformation, true both for the kinds of substances as well as for the weights, have any value.