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.
