Explain why the numbers in front of chemical formulas,not the subscripts,must be changed to balance?

The subscript denotes the actual number of atoms in the bond. The numbers in front are coefficients. Coefficients denote the quantity(ussually in moles). For example... O2 is oxygen O3 is ozone 2O2 means you have 2 moles of oxygen 2O3 means you have 2 moles of ozone

Because the subscripts denote the atoms in the molecule, and the numbers in front (the coefficients) denote the number of molecules. For example, the formula for water is H2O, the two means that two hydrogens join to one oxygen. That ratio is a product of how the molecule forms, and if it changes, it's not the same molecule. On the other hand, the coefficient only shows how many of each molecule is involved in the reaction. Changing those numbers changes how much of each molecule you're talking about, but it doesn't change the molecule.

Look at it this way. The subscripts make the chemical formulas what they are. They dictate exactly what the molecule will look like, and we can't easily change what a molecule is. We can, however, change the ratio that the molecules are mixed together so that a reaction will be very efficient. This is what you're doing when you balance an equation. You're making sure that when all of the reactants are mixed together, all that is left over is product. Good luck!

Because the subscripts denote the atoms in the molecule, and the numbers in front (the coefficients) denote the number of molecules. For example, the formula for water is H2O, the two means that two hydrogens join to one oxygen. That ratio is a product of how the molecule forms, and if it changes, it's not the same molecule. On the other hand, the coefficient only shows how many of each molecule is involved in the reaction. Changing those numbers changes how much of each molecule you're talking about, but it doesn't change the molecule.

Look at it this way. The subscripts make the chemical formulas what they are. They dictate exactly what the molecule will look like, and we can't easily change what a molecule is. We can, however, change the ratio that the molecules are mixed together so that a reaction will be very efficient. This is what you're doing when you balance an equation. You're making sure that when all of the reactants are mixed together, all that is left over is product. Good luck!