Which of the following statements about balancing chemical equations is false?

• A. The number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation.
• B. Balancing chemical equations ensures the law of conservation of mass is obeyed.
• C. Coefficients are used to balance equations, but subscripts in chemical formulas should not be changed.
• D. It is acceptable to have fractional coefficients in the final balanced equation.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that balancing chemical equations requires the number of atoms of each element to be equal on both sides, ensuring the law of conservation of mass is obeyed.
2. Recognize that coefficients (numbers placed before chemical formulas) are used to balance the equation, while subscripts (numbers within chemical formulas) represent the fixed composition of molecules and should not be changed.
3. Know that while fractional coefficients can sometimes appear during intermediate steps of balancing, the final balanced equation is typically expressed with whole number coefficients by multiplying all coefficients by the appropriate factor.
4. Evaluate each statement carefully: the first three statements are true principles of balancing equations, while the last statement about fractional coefficients being acceptable in the final balanced equation is false.
5. Conclude that the false statement is the one claiming it is acceptable to have fractional coefficients in the final balanced equation, as standard practice requires whole number coefficients.