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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.

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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.


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.


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.


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 the purpose of a subscript in a chemical equation?

the purpose of a subscript is to tell how many atoms of that chemical is used in the formulaThe number of atoms of the same element in the molecule ~APEX


What does a subscript in a chemical formula represents?

The subscript in a chemical formula represents the amount of that atom in that compound's formula.


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.


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.


Why can't a subscript in a formula of a chemical compound change when balancing an equation?

Answer 1To 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 2The 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 3A 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 4Changing 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 5If 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 6The 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.


Which number is not written in subscript in a chemical formula?

The number representing the charge in an ion is not written in subscript in a chemical formula.


In a chemical formula what is used to indicate the number of atoms of each element?

It is called a subscript. For example: In the formula for water (H2O), 2 is the subscript indicating that there are 2 hydrogen atoms in the compound .


Examples of a chemical formula?

subscript