Here's how it works:
* Symbols: Each element is represented by its unique chemical symbol (e.g., H for hydrogen, O for oxygen, C for carbon).
* Subscripts: Numbers written as subscripts after the symbol indicate the number of atoms of that element in the molecule. If no subscript is written, it means there is only one atom of that element.
Examples:
* Water (H₂O): This formula indicates that a water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms (H₂) and one oxygen atom (O).
* Carbon dioxide (CO₂): This formula shows one carbon atom (C) and two oxygen atoms (O₂).
* Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆): This formula indicates that a glucose molecule has six carbon atoms (C₆), twelve hydrogen atoms (H₁₂), and six oxygen atoms (O₆).
Chemical formulas are a fundamental way to represent the composition of substances and are essential for understanding chemical reactions and the properties of matter.
