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The law of conservation of mass requires that subscripts in chemical formulas remain unchanged while balancing a chemical equation. This law states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction, so the number and type of atoms on each side of the equation must be equal. Changing subscripts would alter the formula and violate this principle.

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Why is it important to never change the subscript in a chemical formula when balancing a chemical equation?

It is important to never change the subscript in a chemical formula when balancing a chemical equation because subscripts represent the number of atoms of each element in the compound. Changing subscripts would alter the chemical formula and consequently change the identity of the compounds involved in the reaction. Balancing equations involves adjusting coefficients, not subscripts.


Why is it incorrect to balance chemical equation by changing the subscripts?

Changing subscripts in a chemical formula changes the identity of the compound, which is not allowed when balancing chemical equations. Balancing equations involves adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the same number of each type of atom is present on both sides of the equation.


Why can't you change the subscript of reactant and products when balancing a chemical equation?

Changing subscripts changes the chemical formula, leading to a different compound being represented. When balancing a chemical equation, you can only add coefficients to the compounds to ensure mass is conserved on both sides of the equation while keeping their identities the same. Changing subscripts would alter the chemical substances involved in the reaction.


Why is it incorrect to balance a chemical equation by changing the subscripts?

Changing subscripts in a chemical formula changes the identity of the compound being represented. Balancing a chemical equation involves changing the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the same number of each type of atom is present on both sides of the equation.


Why is it not possible to change the subscripts to balance the equation?

Changing subscripts in a chemical formula changes the actual chemical species present, leading to a different reaction. Subscripts represent the ratio of elements in a compound and should not be changed to balance chemical equations. Balancing equations is done by adjusting coefficients in front of chemical formulas, not by changing subscripts.

Related Questions

How can you balance a chemical equation by changing the subscripts?

Balancing only allows you to change the coefficients, NOT the subscripts.


Why is it important to never change the subscript in a chemical formula when balancing a chemical equation?

It is important to never change the subscript in a chemical formula when balancing a chemical equation because subscripts represent the number of atoms of each element in the compound. Changing subscripts would alter the chemical formula and consequently change the identity of the compounds involved in the reaction. Balancing equations involves adjusting coefficients, not subscripts.


Why is it incorrect to balance chemical equation by changing the subscripts?

Changing subscripts in a chemical formula changes the identity of the compound, which is not allowed when balancing chemical equations. Balancing equations involves adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the same number of each type of atom is present on both sides of the equation.


Is it true that subscripts can be changed in order to balance a chemical equation?

No, subscripts cannot be changed in a chemical formula to balance a chemical equation. Balancing a chemical equation involves adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation. Changing subscripts would alter the chemical identities of the substances involved.


Why is it wrong to change subcripts when balancing chemical equation?

When you are balancing known reactants and known products which is always the case when you are asked to "balance" a chemical equation you must not change the subscripts as that changes the reactants or the products to a different chemical compound.


How does a subscript in a chemical formula affect balancing chemical equation?

When balancing a chemical equation, you multiply the subscripts in a chemical formula times the coefficient in front of the formula to get the total number of atoms of each element.


Why can't you change the subscript of reactant and products when balancing a chemical equation?

Changing subscripts changes the chemical formula, leading to a different compound being represented. When balancing a chemical equation, you can only add coefficients to the compounds to ensure mass is conserved on both sides of the equation while keeping their identities the same. Changing subscripts would alter the chemical substances involved in the reaction.


Why is it incorrect to balance a chemical equation by changing the subscripts?

Changing subscripts in a chemical formula changes the identity of the compound being represented. Balancing a chemical equation involves changing the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure that the same number of each type of atom is present on both sides of the equation.


Why is it not possible to change the subscripts to balance the equation?

Changing subscripts in a chemical formula changes the actual chemical species present, leading to a different reaction. Subscripts represent the ratio of elements in a compound and should not be changed to balance chemical equations. Balancing equations is done by adjusting coefficients in front of chemical formulas, not by changing subscripts.


When balancing a chemical equation what do you adjust?

You adjust the coefficients in front of each molecule to balance the number of atoms on both sides of the equation. You should not change the subscripts within a molecule when balancing a chemical equation.


Where are the subscripts found in a chemical equation?

These subscripts are down the chemical symbol and at right. Example: O2


Subscripts can be changed in order to balance a chemical equation.?

false