Why is it incorrect to change the subscripts in the formula of a compound while balancing a chemical equation?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: It changes the chemical identity and composition of the substance.
Subscripts specify the fixed number of atoms of each element in a compound. For example, changing the subscript 2 in \(\mathrm{H_2O}\) to form \(\mathrm{H_2O_2}\) changes water into hydrogen peroxide, a different substance. Therefore, only coefficients are changed to balance an equation, because they change the amount of a substance without changing its identity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
It changes the chemical identity and composition of the substance.
Why is this the correct answer?
Subscripts specify the fixed number of atoms of each element in a compound. For example, changing the subscript 2 in \(\mathrm{H_2O}\) to form \(\mathrm{H_2O_2}\) changes water into hydrogen peroxide, a different substance. Therefore, only coefficients are changed to balance an equation, because they change the amount of a substance without changing its identity.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 10 Science question. Chapter: Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour. Topic: Chemical Reactions and Equations.
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