Why should you not change the subscripts in chemical formulas when balancing chemical equations?

• A. Changing subscripts alters the identity of the compounds involved.
• B. Changing subscripts is necessary to conserve mass.
• C. Changing subscripts makes the reaction faster.
• D. Changing subscripts increases the number of atoms on both sides.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a chemical formula represents the identity and composition of a compound, where subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecule.
2. Recognize that changing the subscripts in a chemical formula changes the actual compound itself, effectively creating a different substance with different properties.
3. Recall that balancing chemical equations involves adjusting the coefficients (the numbers placed before formulas) to ensure the same number of each type of atom appears on both sides of the equation, thus conserving mass.
4. Note that changing coefficients does not alter the identity of the compounds, only the quantity of molecules or moles involved in the reaction.
5. Therefore, you should never change subscripts when balancing equations because it would misrepresent the substances involved and violate the principle of conservation of matter.