Why should chemical formulae not be changed while balancing a chemical equation?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: Because chemical formulae represent the fixed composition and identity of substances.
A chemical formula shows the elements in a substance and their fixed ratio. Changing a subscript changes the identity of the substance; for example, H₂O is water, whereas H₂O₂ is hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, an equation is balanced by changing coefficients only, because coefficients change the amount of a substance, not its identity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
Because chemical formulae represent the fixed composition and identity of substances.
Why is this the correct answer?
A chemical formula shows the elements in a substance and their fixed ratio. Changing a subscript changes the identity of the substance; for example, H₂O is water, whereas H₂O₂ is hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, an equation is balanced by changing coefficients only, because coefficients change the amount of a substance, not 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.
