Here's a breakdown:
* Subscripts: The numbers written below and to the right of an element's symbol are called subscripts. They indicate the number of atoms of that element in the molecule.
* Coefficients: The numbers written in front of a molecular formula are called coefficients. They indicate the number of molecules of that compound.
Examples:
* H₂O: This formula represents a water molecule. The subscript "2" indicates that there are two hydrogen atoms (H) and one oxygen atom (O).
* 2CO₂: This formula represents two molecules of carbon dioxide. The coefficient "2" indicates two molecules, and the subscripts indicate one carbon atom (C) and two oxygen atoms (O) per molecule.
Important Notes:
* If there is no subscript, it is assumed to be "1" (e.g., CO means one carbon atom and one oxygen atom).
* Coefficients are often used to balance chemical equations, ensuring that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side equals the number on the product side.
Let me know if you have any more questions about molecular formulas!
