The subscripts in a chemical formula tell you how many atoms of each element are found in a single unit of that compound.

Here's how it works:

* No subscript means there's only one atom of that element. For example, in H₂O, there's one oxygen atom (O).

* A subscript number tells you how many atoms of that element are present. For example, in H₂O, there are two hydrogen atoms (H₂).

* Subscripts only apply to the element they are attached to. In CO₂, the subscript 2 only applies to the oxygen (O₂), meaning there are two oxygen atoms.

Let's look at an example:

Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)

* C₆ means there are 6 carbon atoms

* H₁₂ means there are 12 hydrogen atoms

* O₆ means there are 6 oxygen atoms

So, one molecule of glucose contains 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms.