A student is checking a symbol equation. The formulae in the equation are correct.
Balance the equation.
___H2O→___H2+___O2\_\_\_\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \_\_\_\text{H}_2 + \_\_\_\text{O}_2___H2O→___H2+___O2
The student changes a subscript instead of a multiplier. Explain why changing a subscript is not an acceptable way to balance an equation.
95 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 3.1 Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations, covering 3.1.1 Conservation of mass and balanced chemical equations, 3.1.2 Relative formula mass, 3.1.3 Mass changes when a reactant or product is a gas, and 3.1.4 Chemical measurements. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.