Subscripts are usually used as a counter or an index. For example, Xn (where n is a subscript - this pathetic browser does not support subscripts) usually refers to the nth (it does not support superscripts either!) X in a sequence of Xs. Since they are counters they should belong to the set of counting numbers.
Subscripts in a chemical formula are whole numbers because they represent the ratio of atoms in a compound. They indicate the number of atoms of each element present in the compound in the simplest whole number ratio. This is based on the law of constant composition, which states that a compound always contains the same elements in the same proportion by mass.
subscripts
Yes.
subscripts
subscripts
subscripts
subscripts
subscripts
subscripts
To write the formula for an ionic compound, you first write the symbol for the cation (positively charged ion) followed by the symbol for the anion (negatively charged ion). Then, you use subscripts to indicate the ratio of ions needed to balance the charges to make it electrically neutral. The subscripts are the smallest whole numbers that will ensure the compound has a net charge of zero.
The chemical formula for ammonium nitrite is NH4NO2.
The chemical formula for ammonium nitrite is NH4NO2.