Question

a student tries to balance the equation by changing the subscript 2 on cl to a 3. explain why this is not correct. match the items in the left column to the appropriate blanks in the sentences on the right. left column items: is solid, not gaseous; number; is heavy chlorine; required atoms as another reactant or product; does not exist as a pure substance; coefficients; kind; state; superscripts right column sentence: changing the subscript on cl from 2 to 3 would change the blank of molecules, not the blank of molecules. it results in cl₃, which blank. to balance chemical reactions, one must add blank, not subscripts.

Explanation:

Subscripts define the kind of molecule (e.g., Cl₂ vs. Cl₃), not the number of molecules. Cl₃ does not exist as a pure substance. Balancing equations uses coefficients to adjust molecule count, not subscripts.

Answer:

Changing the subscript on Cl from 2 to 3 would change the kind of molecules, not the number of molecules. It results in Cl₃, which does not exist as a pure substance. To balance chemical reactions, one must add coefficients, not subscripts.