Molecular Formulas and Subscripts

Subscripts, Coefficients and Counting Atoms

UNDERSTANDING HOW TO READ CHEMICAL EQUATIONS

​Coefficient

Parentheses

Element Symbol

Subscript

Parts of Chemical Equation/Formula

• There are 3 parts to a chemical formula

  • Elements

  • Coefficients

  • Subscripts

  • Parentheses

Subscripts-tells us the number of atoms of each element in the molecule. 

Coefficient- Tells us the number of molecules that are present. 

Parentheses- the subscript to the right of the parentheses is only distributed to the elements inside.

Multiple Choice

The following tells us the number of molecules that are present in an equation.

• coefficient

• subscripts

• elements

Open Ended

Indentify the following Elements in the chemical equation. (You only have to put the symbol if you do not know the name).

Multiple Choice

What does the following represent?

• coefficient

• subscript

• elements

Multiple Choice

What does the number ₃ represent in 4NH₃?

• Subscript

• Superscript

• Coefficient