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    christi0406's Avatar
    christi0406 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 15, 2009, 11:34 AM
    Subscripts in chemistry
    How do subscripts represent the charge balance of ions?
    Capuchin's Avatar
    Capuchin Posts: 5,255, Reputation: 656
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    #2

    Feb 15, 2009, 11:41 AM

    They don't. Charge is normally denoted in superscript.
    rwinterton's Avatar
    rwinterton Posts: 289, Reputation: 15
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    #3

    Feb 15, 2009, 01:08 PM

    While Capuchin is correct that charge is denoted by the superscript, it is also true that adding ions can change the charge. For example, CO3(-2), carbonate has two negative charges. If you add one hydrogen ion to it you'll get bicarbonate HCO3(-) with only one negative charge and if you add a second hydrogen ion (H+), you'll have H2CO3 and there will be no charge on the molecule.

    Note that if you have CO3(-2), you must have something that represents the associated positive charge (two Na(+), for example). Ions don't exist alone.
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