Question

How many total atoms are present in each of the following compounds? (a) \(\mathrm{CO}\) (b) \(\mathrm{BF}_{3}\) (c) \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) (d) \(\mathrm{KMnO}_{4}\) (e) \(\mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}\) (f) \(\mathrm{Fe}_{3}\left(\mathrm{PO}_{4}\right)_{2}\)

Short answer

(i) Total atoms in \(\mathrm{CO}\): 2(ii) Total atoms in \(\mathrm{BF}_{3}\): 4(iii) Total atoms in \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\): 5(iv) Total atoms in \(\mathrm{KMnO}_{4}\): 6(v) Total atoms in \(\)'),(finish the format as well)

Step-by-step solution

Determine total atoms in \(\mathrm{CO}\)

The compound \(\mathrm{CO}\) consists of one carbon (C) atom and one oxygen (O) atom. Therefore, the total number of atoms in \(\mathrm{CO}\) is calculated by adding these two numbers.

Determine total atoms in \(\mathrm{BF}_{3}\)

The compound \(\mathrm{BF}_{3}\) consists of one boron (B) atom and three fluorine (F) atoms. The total number of atoms in \(\mathrm{BF}_{3}\) is the sum of these atoms.

Determine total atoms in \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\)

The compound \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) consists of one hydrogen (H) atom, one nitrogen (N) atom, and three oxygen (O) atoms. Adding these together will give the total number of atoms in \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\).

Determine total atoms in \(\mathrm{KMnO}_{4}\)

The compound \(\mathrm{KMnO}_{4}\) contains one potassium (K) atom, one manganese (Mn) atom, and four oxygen (O) atoms. Summing these values provides the total number of atoms in \(\mathrm{KMnO}_{4}\).

Key concepts

counting atoms in molecules

One of the fundamental skills in chemistry is counting the number of atoms in a molecule. This is crucial to understand how substances interact in chemical reactions. To count the atoms, you need to look at the chemical formula, which shows the types and numbers of atoms in a compound. For example, in the molecule \(\text{CO}\), we have one carbon (\text{C}) and one oxygen (\text{O}) atom, leading to a total of two atoms. More complex molecules like \(\text{KMnO}_4\) have one potassium (\text{K}), one manganese (\text{Mn}), and four oxygen (\text{O}) atoms, summing up to six atoms. This skill lays the groundwork for more advanced topics in chemistry.

chemical formula interpretation

A chemical formula is a way of presenting information about the chemical proportions of atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. For instance, the formula \(\text{BF}_3\) tells us that one molecule consists of one boron (\text{B}) atom and three fluorine (\text{F}) atoms. Recognizing and interpreting these formulas is essential because it allows us to understand the composition of a compound at a glance. For example, in \(\text{Ca(NO}_3)_2\), the parenthesis indicates a grouping, and the subscript outside the parenthesis affects everything within. This implies one calcium (\text{Ca}) atom, and two groups of nitrate (\text{NO}_3), totaling nine atoms in one molecule.

stoichiometry calculations

Stoichiometry involves the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions. To perform stoichiometric calculations, you must understand the mole concept and be proficient in counting atoms in molecules. For instance, consider the compound \(\text{Fe}_3(\text{PO}_4)_2\). It contains three iron (\text{Fe}) atoms and two groups of phosphate (\text{PO}_4), each having four oxygen (\text{O}) atoms and one phosphorus (\text{P}) atom. Summing all these gives a total of 19 atoms in one molecule of \(\text{Fe}_3(\text{PO}_4)_2\). Such calculations are crucial for determining the amounts of reactants needed or products formed in a chemical reaction.

basic chemistry education

Grasping the basics of chemistry involves understanding atoms and molecules. Chemistry describes how these tiny particles combine, interact, and change. Knowing how to count atoms accurately helps in predicting chemical reactions and understanding molecular structures. For example, counting the atoms in \(\text{HNO}_3\) reveals one hydrogen (\text{H}), one nitrogen (\text{N}), and three oxygen (\text{O}) atoms. This foundational knowledge prepares students for more advanced topics like chemical bonding, molecular geometry, and reaction mechanisms, forming a strong base for all further chemistry learning.