Question

What role do the coefficients serve in a chemical reaction?

Answer 1

First one. Coefficients are numbers that balance the equation, just like if there is an equation in math where 1=2, you need to multiply 1 by 2 to make that equation true. That's a nice jingle you can remember.

Answer 2

It’s not the first one. While it is true that the coefficients balance the equation in terms of conservation, it is not true that this follows the law of conservation of energy. It instead follows the law of conservation of mass.