Chemical Formulas and Equations
By DarthVader
Date: 2022-05-26
Topic: 114 see comments
Post views: 1041
Chemical Formulas and Equations
- In the formula of a chemical compound, a subscript number refers only to the element that it follows, not the whole compound. For example, a molecule of CH4 consists of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms.
- A number in front of the formula applies to all the elements in the compound. For example, 2CH4 represents 2 molecules of CH4, containing 2 carbon atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms in all.
- A subscript number after brackets around a group of symbols refers to everything inside the brackets. For example, in the molecule (NH4)2SO4 there are 2 nitrogen atoms, 8 hydrogen atoms, 1 sulphur atom and 4 oxygen atoms.
- When balancing equations, you can't change the subscript numbers or insert numbers into the middle of a formula; you can only add or alter numbers in front of the formula.
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