Pregunta
When you are balancing an equation, why must the subscripts in
the chemical formulas remain unchanged?
the chemical formulas remain unchanged?
Ask by Park Martin. in Canada
Mar 19,2025
Solución de inteligencia artificial de Upstudy
Respuesta verificada por el tutor
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When balancing a chemical equation, subscripts in chemical formulas must stay the same because they show the number of atoms of each element in a molecule. Changing them would alter the chemical identity of the substance, which is not allowed. Instead, you adjust the coefficients (the numbers in front of the formulas) to balance the number of atoms on both sides of the equation.
Solución
When balancing a chemical equation, the subscripts in the chemical formulas must remain unchanged because they represent the number of atoms of each element in a molecule. Changing the subscripts alters the identity of the substance itself, which can lead to incorrect representations of the chemical reaction.
Here’s a detailed explanation:
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Definition of Subscripts: In a chemical formula, subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule. For example, in water (H₂O), the subscript “2” indicates that there are two hydrogen atoms for every one oxygen atom.
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Chemical Identity: Changing a subscript changes the chemical identity of the compound. For instance, if you change H₂O to H₃O, you are no longer representing water; instead, you are representing a different species (hydronium ion).
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Conservation of Mass: Balancing a chemical equation is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To satisfy this law, you can only change the coefficients (the numbers placed in front of the chemical formulas) to balance the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Coefficients indicate how many molecules or moles of a substance are involved in the reaction, while subscripts define the composition of those molecules.
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Example: Consider the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water:
- Unbalanced: H₂ + O₂ → H₂O
- If you were to change the subscript in H₂O to H₃O, the equation would no longer represent the formation of water, and the balance of atoms would be incorrect.
In summary, subscripts must remain unchanged during the balancing process to maintain the correct chemical identity of the substances involved and to adhere to the law of conservation of mass. Only coefficients can be adjusted to achieve balance in the equation.
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Simplifique esta solución Mind Expander
Subscripts in chemical formulas represent the number of atoms of each element in a molecule. Changing them would alter the substance itself, transforming it into an entirely different molecule with different chemical properties. For example, changing H₂O (water) to H₃O would change it to hydronium, a completely different compound!
In balancing equations, you’re essentially following the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. By keeping the subscripts intact, you ensure that the same substances are being reacted and produced, allowing you to accurately reflect the true nature of the reaction while preserving the integrity of each compound.
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