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Grade 12Physical Chemistry

Difference in equation?
Ca+2HNO3 = H2+Ca(NO3)2
Can you tell me why is the 2 infront of 'HNO3' and the 2 behind 'H'. What is the difference, pls explain.

Profile image of Guru
11 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of Vikas TU
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer11 Years ago
The 2 in front of "2HNO3" is a coefficient. The 2 behind H in "H2" is a Subscript. For 2HNO3 it is saying that there are two of "HNO3", but for H2 it is just saying that there are two Hydrogen molecules. 
So if you were to count how many atoms there are it would be for 2HNO3 it would be 2 hydrogen 2 nitrogen and 6 Oxygen (because it is O3) 

Hope that helps!