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Title: why do subscripts turn into coefficients when balancing equation? Post by: tomatothefly on Aug 25, 2012 For example... say I have CuCl2
when i put these into a net ionic equation it turns into Cu^2+(aq)+2Cl^-(aq) I don't understand how you're supposed to freely transition the subscript to the coefficient? I mean aren t they two different things that can't be changed that freely? Isn't a coefficient the number of that molecule while subscript is the number of atoms in it? How does this happen? Title: why do subscripts turn into coefficients when balancing equation? Post by: irina on Aug 25, 2012 i shall say an example. cu+ cl = cucl2
here b4 reaction, only one cl is there. but after reaction cl2 is formed. but by the law of mass we know that the amount of cl should be equal.cl2 has 2 cl atoms whereas cl has only one. so to adjust it we put 2cl ie 2*cl atom= two cl atoms.hope i helped Title: why do subscripts turn into coefficients when balancing equation? Post by: zzz1090 on Aug 25, 2012 The solid in this case consists of 3 ions,1 Cu2+ and 2 x Cl-, the coefficient tells you how many ions of that type there are.
Some examples MgSO4 will dissociate to Mg^2+ and SO4^2- Look at AlCl3 - This will change to Al3+ + 3Cl- Take Na2SO4 - this will give you 2Na+ + SO4^2- and finally Na3PO4 - will give 3Na+ + PO4^3- Hope this will help. |