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What do the numbers 3 and 4 refer to in [tex]\( NH_4^3 \)[/tex]?

Sagot :

Let's analyze the chemical notation [tex]\( 3 NH_4 \)[/tex].

1. Coefficient (3):
- The number 3 in [tex]\( 3 NH_4 \)[/tex] is a coefficient. It specifies the number of [tex]\( NH_4 \)[/tex] units there are. In this case, 3 indicates that there are three separate ammonium ions (NH₄).

2. Subscript (4):
- The number 4 in [tex]\( NH_4 \)[/tex] is a subscript, and it refers to the quantity of hydrogen (H) atoms in one ammonium ion. Each single ammonium ion contains 4 hydrogen atoms.

To summarize:
- The number 3 is the coefficient showing the total count of ammonium ions.
- The number 4 tells us that each ammonium ion consists of 4 hydrogen atoms.

Thus, in the notation [tex]\( 3 NH_4 \)[/tex]:
- There are 3 ammonium ions.
- Each ammonium ion has 4 hydrogen atoms.

Hence, the numbers 3 and 4 refer to the coefficient of the entire molecule and the number of hydrogen atoms in the ammonium ion, respectively.