When balancing chemical equations

[J_o_S]

why can't the chemical formulas be altered?


I was asked this question, and my answer was because if you alter the formulas you're dealing with totally different chemicals, and therefore a different equation.

Seems like such a simple question, but its surrounded by harder ones which makes me worry so I just wanted to see if I was missing anything. Thanks

 

[whozum]

Sounds right to me. Although I would say

if you alter the formulas you're dealing with totally different chemicals, and therefore a different reaction.

 

[thepatientmental]

.Your answer is correct. The chemical formulas represent the specific elements and their ratios in a compound. If you alter the formulas, you are essentially changing the identity of the compounds involved, which would result in a different chemical equation. Balancing a chemical equation involves making sure that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms on the product side. Altering the formulas would disrupt this balance and make the equation inaccurate.