* Hydrogen (H₂): Each water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms.
* Oxygen (O): Each water molecule contains one oxygen atom. Since we don't write a subscript for a single atom, it's implied.
Key Points:
* Chemical Formula: A chemical formula shows the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule.
* Subscript: The subscript tells us how many of that specific atom are in the molecule.
* Diatomic Molecules: Some elements, like oxygen, naturally exist as diatomic molecules (two atoms bonded together). This is why we write it as O₂.
In summary, the subscripts in H₂O represent the ratio of hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a single water molecule.
