What is indicated by the number at the bottom of the atoms in a formula?

The number at the bottom of the atoms in a formula indicates the number of each atom present in the compound. This notation, often referred to as a subscript, provides crucial information about the molecular structure. For example, in the formula H₂O, the '2' following the hydrogen (H) atom signifies that there are two hydrogen atoms for every one oxygen atom present in a water molecule. This quantitative representation is fundamental for understanding the composition of compounds, predicting chemical reactions, and stoichiometric calculations in chemistry. It allows chemists to identify the proportions of elements within a molecule accurately.