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In the chemical formula for magnesium chloride (MgCl2) what is the number "2" called and what does it tell you

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The "2" in the chemical formula is called a subscript . It tells you how many of that element there are.

H2O means there are 2 hydrogens and 1 oxygen.

MgCl2 means that there is 1 Magnesium and 2 Chlorine.

C6H12O6 means that there are 6 Carbons, 12 Hydrogens, and 6 Oxygens.

It's pretty self explanatory. I hope I helped
User Patrick Bell
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