Why can't you balance an equation by changing the subscripts of the reactants or the products?

Answer 1

You can't change the subscript. The subscripts show how the elements/molecules are bonded.

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The subscripts represent the number of atoms of each element in each chemical formula-if you change the subscripts, you change the compounds the formulas are describing.

Source: (e2020)

Answer 2

Because the subscripts in a chemical equation represent the numbers of atoms present in specific compounds or elements that are the reactants or products. Changing the subscripts would cause the formulas to represent a different compound or molecule, or more likely something that doesn't exist at all. Instead of changing the subscripts, the coefficients that are written before the formulas must be changed.

For example, if you were balancing an equation involving Carbon Dioxide:

CO2

And you wanted one less Oxygen atom on one side of the reaction you could not do this by adjusting the 2 subscript in Carbon Dioxide because that would make it Carbon Monoxide:

CO

In the reaction below [which is not balanced]

C6H6 + O2 -> CO2 + H2

You could not write:

C6H6 + 3O2 -> 6CO + 3H2

because Carbon Monoxide is not produced in the reaction.

Answer 3

Its just like trying to change an exponent in math. you just cant. Instead you change the coefficents in front of the atoms. and if you have a 2 subscript and a 3. make them both 6 by putting a 3 and 2 in front of them

Answer 4

The subscripts are part of the unique identity of the chemical formula of a molecule or compound. If you change the subscripts, it is no longer that substance, and the equation will be incorrect. You can only change the amounts of molecules or compounds by changing the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas when balancing an equation.

Answer 5

Because changing the subscript changes the chemical makeup of the molecule itself. Balancing involves changing the coefficients found before the molecule

Answer 6

The subscripts of the reactants and products define the chemical compounds that are involved. You must change the quantitys of the compounds in the equation.

Answer 7

If you change the subscripts in a chemical formula, it will no longer represent the same substance. You can only add coefficients to balance a chemical equation.