66
UNIT 2: Matter and Energy
Lesson 8: Analyzing Chemical Formulas
The inorganic compound magnesium hydroxide is written as Mg(OH)
2
. Notice the
subscript after the parentheses in Figure 2.34. The subscript indicates there are 2
sets of the OH molecule.
Chemical formulas are a shorthand way to communicate the parts of a molecule.
Subscripts are used in formulas to identify how man
y atoms of a particular element
are present. In some cases, parentheses are used to indicate elements grouped
together as a molecule within the compound.
Figure 2.34. Magnesium Hydroxide
Mg(OH)
2
H H
O O MgS
cienc
e
9 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. • 24.7 x 19.0 cm
Atoms per Element
Identify the elements found in each of the following compounds. Then determine the
number of atoms in each element.
1. carbon dioxide—CO
2
2. glucose—C
6
H
12
O
6
3. calcium hydroxide—Ca(OH)
2
UNIT 2: Matter and Energy
Lesson 8: Analyzing Chemical Formulas
The inorganic compound magnesium hydroxide is written as Mg(OH)
2
. Notice the
subscript after the parentheses in Figure 2.34. The subscript indicates there are 2
sets of the OH molecule.
Chemical formulas are a shorthand way to communicate the parts of a molecule.
Subscripts are used in formulas to identify how man
y atoms of a particular element
are present. In some cases, parentheses are used to indicate elements grouped
together as a molecule within the compound.
Figure 2.34. Magnesium Hydroxide
Mg(OH)
2
H H
O O Mg
cienc
e
9 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. • 24.7 x 19.0 cm
Atoms per Element
Identify the elements found in each of the following compounds. Then determine the
number of atoms in each element.
1. carbon dioxide—CO
2
2. glucose—C
6
H
12
O
6
3. calcium hydroxide—Ca(OH)
2
