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In the balanced chemical equation, what do the coefficient and the subscript represent in 6H2O? a. Coefficient represents the number of water molecules, subscript represents the number of hydrogen atoms. b. Coefficient represents the number of hydrogen atoms, subscript represents the number of water molecules. c. Coefficient represents the number of oxygen atoms, subscript represents the number of water molecules. d. Coefficient represents the number of water molecules, subscript represents the number of oxygen atoms.

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In the chemical formula \(6H_2O\):

  • The coefficient (6) represents the number of water molecules.
  • The subscript (2) next to hydrogen (H) indicates that there are 2 hydrogen atoms in each water molecule.

The water molecule (H2O) consists of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom. However, in the context of the overall formula, we acknowledge that the subscript for oxygen is implicit (1).

So, the correct interpretation of \(6H_2O\) is:

a. Coefficient represents the number of water molecules, subscript represents the number of hydrogen atoms.