Why must parentheses be used in a compound formula?

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Why must parentheses be used in a compound formula?

2007-11-29 09:56:08 · 2 answers · asked by Raven 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

2 answers

It's to show that a subscript applies to a grouping of atoms. For example, the chemical formula for calcium hydroxide is Ca(OH)2. If you didn't use parenthesis, you'd have to write it as CaO2H2, but then you would lose the fact that there are two OH groups present.

2007-12-01 23:52:20 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

In order to keep things from getting mixed up with one another.

(NH4)2SO4

AlK(SO4)2

2007-11-29 18:01:03 · answer #2 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋