Question

The small 2 next to Nitrogen is called the ____.

Answer 1

Answer:

For 1: The small 2 next to nitrogen atom is subscript.

For 2: The large 2 in front  of nitrogen atom is coefficient.

For 3: The correct answer is atoms.

Explanation:

Coefficients are defined as the numbers that are written in the front of atoms or molecules during a chemical reaction. They represent the number of moles of the substance present in a chemical reaction.

Subscript numbers are defined as the number of atoms of each element present in a compound.

Superscript numbers are defined as the charges of ions reacting in a chemical reaction.

• For 1:

The chemical formula for nitrogen molecule given to us is $N_2$

Here, the small 2 next to nitrogen atom is subscript.

• For 2:

The chemical formula for 2 moles of nitrogen molecule given to us is $2N_2$

Here, the large 2 in front  of nitrogen atom is coefficient.

• For 3:

Law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can only be transformed from one form to another form.

This also means that total mass on the reactant side must be equal to the total mass on the product side. It can also be said that total number of individual atom on the reactant side is equal to the total number of individual atoms on the product side.

Hence, the correct answer is atoms.

Answer 2

1. Subscript is below
2. Coefficient large 2 indicates the number of moles
3. Atoms
1/2 O2 + H2 —> H2O
It’s the atoms that balance on each side
Notes that 1/2 is the coefficient and 2 is the subscript in H2 and H2O