/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 17 Can the subscripts in a chemical... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 3: Problem 17

Can the subscripts in a chemical formula be fractions? Explain. Can the coefficients in a balanced chemical equation be fractions? Explain. Changing the subscripts of chemicals can balance the equations mathematically. Why is this unacceptable?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Subscripts in a chemical formula cannot be fractions, as they represent the number of atoms of each element in a molecule, and atoms are indivisible. Coefficients in a balanced chemical equation can be fractions, but it is more common to use whole numbers for simplicity. Changing subscripts to balance equations is unacceptable because it alters the identity of the compound and would not accurately represent the chemical reaction taking place. Instead, we adjust the coefficients to satisfy the law of conservation of mass while maintaining the identity of the compounds involved.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Chemical Formula Subscripts

A chemical formula represents the proportions of atoms for each element in a compound. The subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element present in one molecule of the compound. As atoms are indivisible entities, we cannot have a fraction of an atom in a molecule. Therefore, subscripts in a chemical formula cannot be fractions. They must always be whole numbers.
02

Understanding Coefficients in a Balanced Chemical Equation

Coefficients in a balanced chemical equation represent the stoichiometric ratios of the reactants and products involved in the chemical reaction. While it is more common to use whole numbers as coefficients for simplicity, it is not incorrect to use fractional coefficients. When coefficients are fractions, it is often simpler to multiply all coefficients by the same factor, usually the lowest common denominator, to obtain whole number coefficients.
03

Why Changing Subscripts for Balancing Equations is Unacceptable

Changing the subscripts in a chemical formula would alter the identity of the compound. Balancing a chemical equation is meant to reflect the law of conservation of mass, which states that the total mass of reactants in a chemical reaction must equal the total mass of products. By altering the subscripts, we would be changing the nature and proportions of the elements in each compound, which would not accurately represent the chemical reaction taking place. Instead, we adjust the coefficients to maintain the identity of the compounds involved and still satisfy the law of conservation of mass.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A 2.077 -g sample of an element, which has an atomic mass between 40 and \(55,\) reacts with oxygen to form 3.708 g of an oxide. Determine the formula of the oxide (and identify the element).

An iron ore sample contains \(\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) plus other impurities. A 752 -g sample of impure iron ore is heated with excess carbon, producing 453 g of pure iron by the following reaction: $$ \mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}(s)+3 \mathrm{C}(s) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{Fe}(s)+3 \mathrm{CO}(g) $$ What is the mass percent of \(\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) in the impure iron ore sample? Assume that \(\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) is the only source of iron and that the reaction is 100\(\%\) efficient.

Vitamin \(\mathrm{B}_{12},\) cyanocobalamin, is essential for human nutrition. It is concentrated in animal tissue but not in higher plants. Although nutritional requirements for the vitamin are quite low, people who abstain completely from animal products may develop a deficiency anemia. Cyanocobalamin is the form used in vitamin supplements. It contains 4.34\(\%\) cobalt by mass. Calculate the molar mass of cyanocobalamin, assuming that there is one atom of cobalt in every molecule of cyanocobalamin.

Balance the following equations: a. \(\operatorname{Cr}(s)+\mathrm{S}_{8}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr}_{2} \mathrm{S}_{3}(s)\) b. \(\operatorname{NaHCO}_{3}(s) \stackrel{\mathrm{Heat}}{\longrightarrow}\) \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}(s)+\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g)\) c. \(\quad \mathrm{KClO}_{3}(s) \stackrel{\mathrm{Heat}}{\longrightarrow}\) \(\mathrm{KCl}(s)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g)\) d. \(\operatorname{Eu}(s)+\mathrm{HF}(g) \rightarrow \operatorname{EuF}_{3}(s)+\mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\)

A substance \(\mathrm{X}_{2} \mathrm{Z}\) has the composition (by mass) of 40.0\% X and 60.0\(\% \mathrm{Z}\) . What is the composition (by mass) of the compound \(\mathrm{XZ}_{2} ?\)
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.