What happens if the subscripts in the chemical formula of a compound are changed while balancing a chemical equation?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: The chemical identity of the compound will change
Subscripts in a chemical formula show the number of atoms of each element in a compound. Changing a subscript changes the compound’s composition and chemical identity; for example, changing \(\mathrm{H_2O}\) to \(\mathrm{H_2O_2}\) changes water into hydrogen peroxide. To balance an equation, coefficients placed before formulae are changed, not subscripts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
The chemical identity of the compound will change
Why is this the correct answer?
Subscripts in a chemical formula show the number of atoms of each element in a compound. Changing a subscript changes the compound’s composition and chemical identity; for example, changing \(\mathrm{H_2O}\) to \(\mathrm{H_2O_2}\) changes water into hydrogen peroxide. To balance an equation, coefficients placed before formulae are changed, not subscripts.
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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