How do you determine the number of atoms in a chemical equation with subscripts and coefficients?

Answer 1

To determine the correct subscripts in a chemical formula, take H2O as an example. H has a charged of positive 1 while O has a charge of negative 2. To balance out the charges of the two elements, 2 H cations are needed to balance out O negative 2 cation. This will result to H2O.

Answer 2

The subscript to the right of an element tells you how many atoms of that particular element are in a molecule. For example, in the water molecule H2O, there are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Answer 3

You multiply the coefficients times the subscripts for each element in order to determine the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. The absence of a coefficient is understood to be 1, and the absence of a subscript is understood to be 1. For example, in the balanced equation 2H2 + O2 --> 2H2O, there are 4 atoms of H (coefficient of 2 x subscript of 2) and 2 atoms of O (coefficient of 1 x subscript of 2) on the left side, and 4 atoms of H (coefficient of 2 x subscript of 2) and 2 atoms of O (coefficient of 2 x subscript of 1) on the right side, therefore the equation is balanced.

Answer 4

Subscripted numbers in a chemical formula represent the ratio numbers of atoms of all different elements which are present in that compound.

Answer 5

Subscripts show the number of atoms in a molecule.