Question

All chemical changes are accompanied by chemical reactions. These reactions are described in sentence form with the help of chemical equations in terms of symbols and formulae of substances involved. Initially, the equation is in a skeletal form which is then balanced so that the total number of reactant species is the same as that of product species.

Can a chemical formula be changed during the balancing of the equation?

Answer 1

Chemical formula:

1. The chemical formula of a compound means the symbolic representation of the composition of a compound.
2. It tells us about the type and number of atoms present in the compound.

Example:

The chemical formula of Sodium chloride is NaCl.

Explanation:

Subscripts can't be changed in a chemical formula but coefficients can be, while balancing a chemical equation.

Hence, the chemical formula cannot be changed to balance the chemical reaction.