Question
10 1 point When balancing an equation. __ are used to make the number of atoms on each side of the equation equal. exponents subscripts coefficients ionic charges
Answer
4.6
(160 Votes)
Opal
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
Coefficients
Explanation
## Step 1: Understanding the questionWhen balancing a chemical equation, we aim to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is in accordance with the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed.## Step 2: Identifying the correct termThe terms given in the options - exponents, subscripts, coefficients, and ionic charges - all have specific roles in a chemical equation. However, only one of them is used to balance the equation by adjusting the number of molecules (not atoms) of a substance.## Step 3: Analyzing the optionsExponents are not used in chemical equations. Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of an element in a molecule, and changing them would alter the substance's identity. Ionic charges indicate the charge of ions and are not related to the number of atoms. Coefficients, on the other hand, are numbers placed before a formula to indicate the number of molecules of a substance. Changing the coefficients adjusts the total number of atoms of each element without altering the identity of the substances involved. Therefore, "coefficients" is the correct answer.