In a balanced chemical equation, what does the coefficient in front of a chemical formula indicate?

• A. The mass of the substance in grams
• B. The charge of the ions in the compound
• C. The number of molecules or moles of that substance involved in the reaction
• D. The energy released or absorbed during the reaction

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that in a balanced chemical equation, coefficients are the numbers placed before chemical formulas to indicate quantities.
2. Recognize that these coefficients represent the relative number of molecules or moles of each substance participating in the reaction, ensuring the law of conservation of mass is satisfied.
3. Note that coefficients do not indicate the mass in grams directly, but they can be used to calculate mass once molar masses are known.
4. Understand that coefficients are not related to the charge of ions in the compound; charges are shown in ionic formulas or oxidation states, not by coefficients.
5. Realize that coefficients do not represent energy changes; energy changes are described separately by thermodynamic terms like enthalpy.