Some elements are capable of ionizing into multiple oxidation states. Each cation produces a completely different compound because different amounts of anions combine to form its product. Elements with multiple oxidation states are distinguished from each other by roman numerals placed in parentheses to the right of the chemical symbol. Let's look how they react differently in the presence of oxygen. Both coefficients and subscripts express different types of quantity in a balanced equation.
Coefficients track the proportions of species present during the course of a reaction.
These species include elements, molecules, ions, compounds, and electrons. A coefficient appears to the left of a chemical symbol. The subscript describes the quantity of elements within a compound or molecule. It appears to the lower right of a chemical symbol within the compound. 3Cl 2 and 3Cl represent different quantities of chlorine atoms.