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Q: When would subscript or superscript format be used?
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A formula is used to represent what in chemistry?

Either a single atom of the element, if there is no subscript number in the formula, or the number of atoms of the element commonly joined to each other in a polyatomic but mono-elemental molecule of the element if the formula does include a subscript number.


What is the purpose of a subscript in a chemical formula?

The subscript tells you how many atoms of a certain element are in the representative particle of that substance. For example, H2O means 2 hydrogens and 1 oxygen. (The absence of a subscript means there's just 1.) The subscript only applies to the element immediately before it, unless the subscript occurs outside a set of parentheses, in which case it applies to everything inside the parentheses.


How should more than one polyatomic ion be indicated in a chemical formula?

One reason is that the composition of a polyatomic ion is fixed, just as that of a compound is fixed. If more than one polyatomic ion is present in an ionic compound, the use of parentheses allows a subscript to be used after the right parenthesis to designate the number of ions just as such subscript is used to designate the number of atoms in a compound.


What does the subscript number stand for?

The number in the subscript of a chemical formula tells the number of that atom in a molecule. For example, in H2O, the 2 tells you there are 2 hydrogen atoms in the water molecule. in C3H8, there are 3 carbon atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms as reflected by the 3 and 8 in the formula respectively.


What does the small number 2 show in chemical equation?

Don't know what "this" chemical reaction is, but chances are, the small 2 is a subscript. Subscripts are used in chemistry to represent how many atoms you have in a compound. For example, in the formula MgCl2, that 2 tells you that you have 2 chlorines for every 1 magnesium. If there is no subscript (like after the magnesium), that means there's only 1 atom. Kind of like in algebra, when you see the variable "x" it really means 1-times-x; you just don't show the 1. In chemistry, the subscript only refers to whatever element is immediately before it. If the subscript is outside a set of parentheses, it refers to everything within the parentheses.

Related questions

Is the subscript a small number written above a letter or number?

A subscript is a small number written below the number, whilst a superscript is written above the number. A superscript 2 is used to indicate a squared number.


How do you enter subscript in HTML?

<sub>Your Subscript Here</sub> The <sub> tag is used to surround subscript. It's cousin, that <sup> tag is used in the same way to surround superscript. Both tags are valid in HTML 4, HTML 5, and XHTML.


How do you type powers in computer?

Subscript and Superscript can be used for this, in Microsoft Word you will find them in the lower right area of the font panel up the top of the screen.


Do you use subscript or superscript when documenting sources?

It is common to use superscript when documenting sources, such as in academic papers or articles, for citing references like footnotes or endnotes. Superscript numbers are typically used to indicate the source of information within the text, leading readers to the corresponding citation in a bibliography or reference list.


What happened to the superscript and subscript format markers in the WikiAnswers editor?

When the site started moving over to a new programming language, they changed the toolbar that we used to use to edit questions, and some features were lost. We're working on restoring all of that stuff, because there are specific things that need those features, for instance things like chemical formulae, but we have limited resources, and we haven't gotten there yet.


What does the sub tag do?

The <sub> tag is used to surround text to be display as a "subscript." A subscript is a bit of text set off in a downwards direction from the text's baseline. The most common use of subscripts is in chemical formulas. For instance, water, is H2O. The HTML code for this formula would look something like: <p>H<sub>2</sub>O</p> Closely related to the subscript tag is the superscript tag, <sup>. Superscripts are used more often in day-to-day life. They are used to mark footnotes, as well as for the cardinal numbers. For instance, June 22nd. The HTML code for this date would be: <time datetime="2012-06-22">June 22<sup>nd</sup></time>


How to type a squared sign after a number on word?

The simplest way is to type a "^" (called a "carat", it is the result of hitting SHIFT and the "6" key) and then "2". The result, "X^2", would be read as "X raised to the second power." If you are trying to get a superscript 2 ("X2"), you would type the "2", then select it with your mouse (place your curser to the left of the 2, hold down the left mouse button, move your curser to the right of the 2, and then release the mouse button), and then format it to superscript. How you specifically do that depends on which version of Word you have - in Word 2002 (used on Windows XP), you would chose FORMAT from the Menu Bar, then FONT, and then chose the tick box marked "Superscript". For Word 2007, the concept would be the same but the execution a bit different.


Why are coefficient used to balance equations?

Coefficients are used to balance equations because if you change the subscript, than you would change the substance.


What is index in math?

a. Mathematics A number or symbol, often written as a subscript or superscript to a mathematical expression, that indicates an operation to be performed, an ordering relation, or a use of the associated expression.b. A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data.See the related lonk for verification.


What is the complete symbol of an element that has 78 electrons and 117 neutrons?

Assuming this is an atom, 78 electrons means there are 78 protons, so this is platinum. The mass number will be 78 + 117 = 195 so the complete symbol will be 195/78 Pt where I've used the / to represent that 195 is a superscript and 78 is a subscript.


The mla style specifies that what be used for a note reference mark to signal that an explanatory note exists?

In MLA style, the superscript number is used as a note reference mark to signal the existence of an explanatory note. The superscript number corresponds to the note located at the bottom of the page or end of the document.


What is used in chemical formulas to show how many atoms of an element are used?

Subscript