Chemical Formula and Equations - Subscripts A chemical formula or equation shows the symbols of the elements in the compound and the ratio of the elements to one another. If a substance contains more than one atom of a particular element, this quantity is indicated in chemical formulas or equations using a subscript number after the element symbol. The subscript number refers only to the element it immediately follows. For example, the chemical formula for water is H2O which indicates that 2 atoms of Hydrogen combines with 1 atom of oxygen. How to write a Chemical Formula or Equation using Subscripts To type or write a subscript for a chemical formula or equation just follow these simple instructions: - Type in the formula or equation for example H2O
- Highlight the number
- Click Format
- Select Font... Decrease the font size of the number
- Under the heading Effects tick the Subscript Box
- The formula will now show the equation with the number in subscript - H2O
Chemical Formula and EquationsChemical Formula and Equations - Examples and Meanings of Subscripts For example, the chemical formula for water is H2O which indicates that 2 atoms of Hydrogen combines with 1 atom of oxygen. The chemical formula for sodium chloride (Salt) is NaCl indicating that one atom of sodium combines with one atom of chlorine in a one-to-one ratio. Subscripts are added, following the element symbol, to indicate that the number of atoms of that element in the compound if it is greater than one. For example, the formula for magnesium bromide MgBr2 which indicates that one magnesium atom combines with two bromine atoms. Meanings and Examples of Chemical Formula and Equations The following examples of Chemical Formula and Equations explain their meaning. Example of Chemical Formula for Salt (Sodium Chloride) - NaCl NaCl Symbol Na indicates the element Sodium Symbol Cl indicates the element Chlorine No subscripts indicate only 1 atom for each element Example of Chemical Formula for Water - H2O H2O Symbol H indicates the element Hydrogen Symbol O indicates the element Oxygen Subscript indicates 2 atoms of Hydrogen Chemical Formula and Equations - Common Chemical Formula List The following list of Chemical Formula and Equations shows some of the most common chemical formulas. Common Chemical Formula List | Na | Sodium | H2O | Water | C6H12O6 | Glucose | C2H6O | Alcohol | | Sulfate Group | H2S | Hydrogen Sulfide | NaCl | Salt | O2 | Oxygen | C2H6O | Ethanol | C2H4O2 | Vinegar | NH3 | Ammonia | Mg | Magnesium | C2H4O2 | Acetic Acid | C4H10 | Butane | NO3− | Nitrate | Cu | Copper | N2 | Nitrogen | CO2 | Carbon Dioxide | H2SO4 | Sulfuric Acid | CH4 | Methane | C12H22O11 | Sucrose | C3H8 | Propane | NaHCO3 | Baking Soda | F | Fluoride | F2 | Fluoride | H2O2 | Peroxide | C8H10N4O2 | Caffeine | NaCl | Sodium Chloride | C9H8O4 | Aspirin | HCl | Hydrochloric Acid | Zn(NO3)2 | Zinc | CO | Carbon Monoxide | NaOH | Sodium Hydroxide | NaCN | Sodium Cyanide | Ca(CN)2 | Calcium Cyanide | Au | Gold | I | Iodine | Sn | Tin | C6H6 | Benzene | H2S | Hydrogen Sulfide | CH3COCH3 | Acetone | H3PO4 | Phosphoric Acid | C5H12 | Pentane | CH3OH | Methanol | HBr | Hydrobromic Acid | H2CO3 | Carbonic Acid | Ti | Titanium | NaClO | Sodium Hypochlorite | C2H6 | Ethane | (NH4)2SO4 | Ammonium Sulfate | C8H18 | Octane | CuSO4 | Copper Sulfate | C27H46O | Cholesterol | C7H6O2 | Benzoic Acid | H2SO3 | Sulfurous Acid | C6H12O6 | Galactose | C6H8O6 | Ascorbic Acid | CO2 | Dry Ice | NaNO3 | Sodium Nitrate | CaO | Calcium Oxide | HIO3 | Iodic Acid | C3H6O3 | Lactic Acid | MgBr2 | Lactic Acid | H2O | Water Vapor | No Formula | Oxide | C | Carbon | H | Hydrogen | CnH2nOn | Sugar | | Sulfate | N2O | Nitrogen | C6H8O7 | Citric Acid | C8H18 | Octane | C10H16O | Camphor | AgI | Silver Oxide | | Arsenic Trioxide | Au2O3 | Gold Trioxide | Au2S | Gold Sulfide | Br2 | Bromine | Al2O3 | Aluminium foil | Common Chemical Formulas List |
Chemical Formula and Equations The above list of Chemical Formula and Equations provides details of the common Chemical Formulas. |