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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.

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Is this true or false Subscripts can be changed in order to balance a chemical equation?

True. Subscripts represent the number of atoms of each element in a compound and changing them would change the chemical formula, possibly making it unbalanced in the equation. By adjusting the coefficients of the compounds involved in the reaction, the equation can be balanced without modifying the subscripts.


Should you never change a subscript to balance an equation?

when I balance an equation, I do the right thing with the subscripts, which is far more complicated than "multiply" would indicate. Under certain special conditions, multiplication (and only multiplication) is the proper procedure, but not always (or even generally).


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.


How to balance an equation effectively?

To balance an equation effectively, you need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Start by adjusting the coefficients of the compounds in the equation, making sure to only change the coefficients and not the subscripts. Keep track of the elements and their quantities as you balance the equation. Continue adjusting the coefficients until the equation is balanced.


What can NEVER change these to make the equation balanced?

Changing subscripts in chemical formulas should never be done to balance a chemical equation because it changes the identity of the compounds involved. Instead, coefficients should be adjusted to balance the equation without altering the chemical formulas.

Related Questions

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

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


Is this true or false Subscripts can be changed in order to balance a chemical equation?

True. Subscripts represent the number of atoms of each element in a compound and changing them would change the chemical formula, possibly making it unbalanced in the equation. By adjusting the coefficients of the compounds involved in the reaction, the equation can be balanced without modifying the subscripts.


Should you never change a subscript to balance an equation?

when I balance an equation, I do the right thing with the subscripts, which is far more complicated than "multiply" would indicate. Under certain special conditions, multiplication (and only multiplication) is the proper procedure, but not always (or even generally).


What is one thing you cannot do to balance an equation?

One thing you cannot do to balance an equation is to change the subscripts of the chemical formulas. Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a compound, and altering them changes the identity of the substance. Instead, to balance an equation, you can only adjust the coefficients, which represent the number of molecules or moles of each compound involved in the reaction.


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.


How to balance an equation effectively?

To balance an equation effectively, you need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Start by adjusting the coefficients of the compounds in the equation, making sure to only change the coefficients and not the subscripts. Keep track of the elements and their quantities as you balance the equation. Continue adjusting the coefficients until the equation is balanced.


What can NEVER change these to make the equation balanced?

Changing subscripts in chemical formulas should never be done to balance a chemical equation because it changes the identity of the compounds involved. Instead, coefficients should be adjusted to balance the equation without altering the 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.


When balancing a chemical equation can you adjust the script in a formula?

No. Never change the subscripts because then you are changing the formula of the substance to something else. You can only change the amount of a substance by adding a coefficient in front of the formula. If there is no coefficient, it is understood to be 1.


How do you balance equations effectively?

To balance equations effectively, you need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Start by identifying the elements present in the equation and then adjust the coefficients of the compounds to balance the number of atoms. Remember to only change coefficients, not subscripts, and check your work to ensure the equation is balanced.


Can the subscripts be changed in order to balance a chemical epuation?

No, or you'd change the chemicals being reacted. Added: There is always ONE and ONLY ONE way in which you can put the right COEFFICIENTS of each reacting compound in a balanced equation, by only changing the values of those coefficients. (That are the figures in FRONT of the chemical formula's).


Which do you use to balance equations subscrips or coefficients?

Both. you must have the correct subscripts to represent the correct chemical then you only change the coefficients to balance the equation. The product of a coefficient and a subscript tells how many atoms are present.