Question

In chemical formulas, there are often subscript numbers (such as the 2 in H2O, or the 6, 12, and 6 in C6H12O6).

What do these subscript numbers mean? What information do the tell us?

Question options:

Subscript numbers tell us how many of the element to their upper-left there are in the molecule.

Subscript numbers tell us the electrical charge of the element to their upper-left.

Subscript numbers tell us how many of the element to their upper-left there are.

Subscript numbers tell us the electrical charge of the element to their upper-right.

Subscript numbers tell us how many of the element to their upper-right there are in the molecule.

Subscript numbers tell us how many of the element to their upper-right there are.

Answer 1

Answer : The correct option is, Subscript numbers tell us how many of the element to their upper-left there are in the molecule.

Explanation :

Subscript number : It indicates that the total number of atoms of an element present in a molecule.

While witting a chemical formula, first we have to write the symbol of an element and then write the number in the bottom of the symbol.

For example :

$C_6H_{12}O_6$ is the chemical formula of the glucose molecule. The glucose molecule is made up of six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms.

The number 6 of carbon atom is written after and in the bottom (lower-right) of the symbol of carbon element (C). Similarly, the number 12 is written lower-right of the symbol of hydrogen element (H) and the number 6 is written lower-right of the symbol of oxygen element (O).

Therefore, the subscript numbers tell us how many of the element to their upper-left there are in the molecule.