0
Why can't a subscript in a formula of a chemical compound change when balancing an equation?
Answer 1
To balance an equation means that there are the same number of each element on each side. The reason a subscript cannot change is that it represents the amount of an element within a certain compound in relation to any other elements. If that ratio changes, it is no longer the same compound. Changing a subscript changes a formula so that it no longer stands for the correct substance.
Answer 2
The point of balancing an equation is to find the ratios in which chemicals will react or be produced. By changing the equation, you change the reaction. Therefore you are not trying to balance the same reaction.
Answer 3
A balanced chemical equation is the standard way of writing equations for chemical reactants because it follows the LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MASS.
Because there is a total of four atoms in the reactants, a total of four atoms must be in the products.
Answer 4
Changing the subscripts changes the compounds in the reaction. A subscript in the formula can not be changed when balancing an equation because changing a subscript would make the formula describe a different compound, or rather more likely a non-existent compound.
Answer 5
If the subscript of the element while balancing is changed, then the entire molecule gets changed !
For eg: Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 are entirely different compounds with diff. properties, colour , magnetic behaviour etc. This would basically be changing the element altogether. Think about the difference between O2 and O3. O2 is regular oxygen-the air we breathe. O3, on the other hand, is what makes up the ozone. so, instead of changing O2 to O6, you put 3O2 to say that you have three O2 atoms, not an O6 atom. I hope I was able to clarify that.
Answer 6
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.
What else can I help you with?
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 important never to change a subscription in a chemical formula when balancing a chemical equation?
It is important never to change a subscript {note correct spelling} in a chemical formula when balancing a chemical equation, because changing a subscript produces a formula that specifies a chemical substance different from the one in the original equation.
What does the subscript 2 show in this chemical equation?
The subscript 2 in a chemical equation typically indicates that there are two atoms of that element present in the compound or molecule. It represents the stoichiometry of that element within the compound.
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.
What is a subscript in a balanced chemical equation?
A subscript in a balanced chemical equation indicates the number of atoms of an element present in a molecule. It is a small number that appears at the bottom right of the element's symbol. Balancing the equation ensures that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
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.
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 is it important never to change a subscription in a chemical formula when balancing a chemical equation?
It is important never to change a subscript {note correct spelling} in a chemical formula when balancing a chemical equation, because changing a subscript produces a formula that specifies a chemical substance different from the one in the original equation.
What does the subscript 2 show in this chemical equation?
The subscript 2 in a chemical equation typically indicates that there are two atoms of that element present in the compound or molecule. It represents the stoichiometry of that element within the compound.
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.
What is a subscript in a balanced chemical equation?
A subscript in a balanced chemical equation indicates the number of atoms of an element present in a molecule. It is a small number that appears at the bottom right of the element's symbol. Balancing the equation ensures that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
What is the difference between a subscript and coefficiant?
A coefficient is the number that goes before an element when your balancing the equation. And a subscript is the number after the element. Subscripts are not changed when you balance the equation.
What do the subscript and coefficent in a chemical equation tell us?
The subscript in a chemical equation tells us the ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound. The coefficient tells us the number of molecules or formula units involved in the reaction.
What does the subscript 2 show in this chemical equation H2O 2H plus O?
The subscript 2 in H2O indicates that there are 2 hydrogen atoms in each water molecule. This is important for balancing chemical equations and understanding the composition of compounds.
What happens if you change the subscript?
Changing a subscript in a chemical formula or equation alters the identity of the element or compound being referred to. For example, changing the subscript in H2O to H2O2 changes the compound from water to hydrogen peroxide, signifying a different chemical composition and properties. It is important to follow the correct subscript ratios to accurately represent chemical formulas.
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.
What Never change a subscript to balance an equation?
Subscripts in a chemical formula represent the number of each atom present in a compound. Changing a subscript without changing the corresponding coefficients in a balanced chemical equation would alter the chemical formula and lead to an unbalanced equation. To balance the equation, adjust the coefficients in front of the compounds rather than changing the subscripts.
