The symbol of an element represents one atom of that element. Example: Na=1 atom A subscript is a number written at the lower right corner behind the symbol of an element. If there is more than pne atom of the element, then a subscript is used to indicate the number of atoms. Example: H_(2)=2 atoms A subscript outside a bracket multiplies all the elements inside the brackets. Example: Mg_(3)(PO_(4))_(2) )

Question

The symbol of an element represents one atom of that element. Example: Na=1 atom A subscript is a number written at the lower right corner behind the symbol of an element. If there is more than pne atom of the element, then a subscript is used to indicate the number of atoms. Example: H_(2)=2 atoms A subscript outside a bracket multiplies all the elements inside the brackets. Example: Mg_(3)(PO_(4))_(2) )

Answer 1

From the example related to Mg₃(PO₄)₂, we learnt that the subscript outside a bracket multiplies all the elements inside the brackets. Here, the subscript 'x' with 'O' represents the number of oxygen atoms in a molecule of phosphate (PO₄), and 'y' represents the number of molecules of phosphate in the complex ion or compound. As given in the example, the number of oxygen atoms in a molecule of phosphate is 4, hence 'x' equals to 4. And as mentioned, the substance (Mg₃(PO₄)₂) consists of two phosphate (PO₄) molecules, hence 'y' equals to 2.

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