Chapter 20, Problem 4RQ

To determine

The importance of subscript in a chemical formula and why is it never changed while balancing a chemical equation.

Answer to Problem 4RQ

In the balancing of a chemical equation, the subscript is never changed because by changing the subscripts the new molecular formula is generated which changes the species itself and thus is unacceptable.

Explanation of Solution

A chemical equation needs to be balanced as atoms cannot be created in a chemical reaction or either cannot be destroyed during a chemical process. The balancing of a chemical equation is the technique to check whether the number of reactant atoms and the number of product atoms involved is the same in the chemical process. Also, to ensure the law of conservation of massof the participants involved in a chemical equation.

The subscript of a species is a part of their respective molecular formula. If the subscripts of reaction participants are changed, it completely changes the molecular formula and in turn changes the reaction participants.

Conclusion:

Since by changing the subscripts the new molecular formula is generated which changes the species itself,and therefore the subscript is never changed while balancing the chemical equation.