Here's a breakdown:
* Letters: Represent the elements that make up the substance. Each element has a unique symbol, usually derived from its Latin name (e.g., H for Hydrogen, O for Oxygen, Na for Sodium).
* Numbers: Indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule or compound. Subscripts are used to denote these numbers. If no subscript is present, it implies one atom of that element.
Examples:
* H₂O: Represents water, composed of two hydrogen atoms (H₂) and one oxygen atom (O).
* CO₂: Represents carbon dioxide, composed of one carbon atom (C) and two oxygen atoms (O₂).
* NaCl: Represents table salt, composed of one sodium atom (Na) and one chlorine atom (Cl).
Chemical formulas provide concise information about the composition of substances, enabling us to understand and predict their properties and reactions.
