Final answer:
The question regards writing and balancing chemical equations in high school Chemistry, where one must ensure the same number and types of atoms are on both sides of the equation to reflect the conserved nature of atoms in reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Chemistry, which deals with the substances of which matter is composed, the investigation of their properties and reactions, and the use of such reactions to form new substances. Specifically, this question involves a discussion on how to write and balance chemical equations, a fundamental concept in high school Chemistry. A chemical equation is a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction where the reactants are shown on the left side, the products on the right side, and an arrow points from reactants to products indicating the direction of the reaction.
Writing a chemical equation requires knowledge of the correct formulas for the reactants and products, where they are separated by plus signs. Coefficients are then added in front of the formulas to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation, as atoms are conserved in a reaction. It's essential to remember that subscripts in chemical formulas cannot be changed since they represent the fixed composition of substances. Elements that exist as diatomic molecules in nature, such as hydrogen (H2) and chlorine (Cl2), must be written accordingly.
In a balanced chemical equation, the moles of reactants and products are indicated by the coefficients placed before their formulas. The equation is balanced only when the number and type of atoms are equal on both sides, showcasing the law of conservation of mass. Writing chemical equations accurately is crucial in predicting the outcomes of chemical reactions and quantifying the reactants and products involved.