Asked by Monica Cheyenne on May 24, 2024
Verified
Why can't a chemical equation be balanced by changing the subscripts of the reactants and/or products?
A) Because there will always be more reactants than products when using such a method.
B) Because changing the subscripts means changing the identity of the chemicals.
C) It just can't!
D) None of the above; it can be balanced in this manner.
Chemical Equation
A written representation of a chemical reaction, showing the reactants and products with their respective quantities.
Subscripts
Small numbers in a chemical formula that indicate the number of atoms of the element directly before the subscript in the molecule.
Reactants
Original substances involved at the beginning of a chemical reaction, used throughout to form the end products.
- Identify the role of coefficients and subscripts in chemical equations and their importance in maintaining the balance of reactions.
Verified Answer
AM
aswathy muraleedharanMay 28, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
Changing the subscripts in a chemical formula alters the identity of the substance, as it changes the ratio of atoms within a molecule, thus creating a different compound. Balancing a chemical equation involves adjusting the coefficients (the numbers in front of the formulas) to ensure the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation, not changing the subscripts.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the role of coefficients and subscripts in chemical equations and their importance in maintaining the balance of reactions.