Determine the number of each type of atom in each formula. a. Mg 3 (PO 4 ) 2 b. BaCl 2 c. Fe(NO 2 ) 2 d. Ca(OH) 2

Hi everyone for this problem. We're being asked to identify the number of atoms for each element in the formula shown below. So let's go ahead and get started. So our first element is magnesium and here we can see that we only have one magnesium. We have a subscript here that isn't shown. And our parentheses around the Cielo three and that to outside of it does not pertain to that magnesium. So let's move on to our next element. We have a chlorine and here it's not written, but we have one chlorine and once we filter it out to include what's outside of the parentheses, we see that that too is going to apply to what's inside. So our one chlorine times two Gives us two chlorine and our last element is oxygen. So we also have three. Oxygen's Multiplied by what's outside of the parentheses is two gives us six. So we have a final answer of one magnesium to chlorine and six oxygen's okay, that is the number of atoms in each element in the formula shown. And that is the end of this problem. I hope this was helpful

Ch.3 - Molecules, Compounds & Chemical Equations

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Tro 4th Edition

Ch.3 - Molecules, Compounds & Chemical Equations

Problem 23

Chapter 3, Problem 23

Determine the number of each type of atom in each formula. a. Mg₃(PO₄)₂ b. BaCl₂ c. Fe(NO₂)₂ d. Ca(OH)₂

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Identify the subscript numbers in each chemical formula, which indicate the number of atoms of each element present.

For compound a, Mg_3(PO_4)_2: Note that the subscript outside the parentheses multiplies the number of each atom inside the parentheses. Calculate the number of Mg, P, and O atoms.

For compound b, BaCl_2: The subscript directly after Cl indicates the number of Cl atoms. Determine the number of Ba and Cl atoms.

For compound c, Fe(NO_2)_2: The subscript outside the parentheses affects the number of N and O atoms inside. Calculate the number of Fe, N, and O atoms.

For compound d, Ca(OH)_2: The subscript outside the parentheses affects the number of O and H atoms inside. Determine the number of Ca, O, and H atoms.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chemical Formula Interpretation

A chemical formula represents the types and numbers of atoms in a compound. Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element present in the molecule. For example, in Mg3(PO4)2, the '3' indicates three magnesium atoms, while '(PO4)2' indicates two phosphate groups, each containing one phosphorus and four oxygen atoms.

Parentheses in Chemical Formulas

Parentheses in chemical formulas are used to group atoms that are part of a polyatomic ion or a molecular unit. The subscript outside the parentheses applies to all atoms within the parentheses. For instance, in Ca(OH)2, the '2' means there are two hydroxide ions (OH) for each calcium atom, resulting in two oxygen and two hydrogen atoms.

Counting Atoms in Compounds

To determine the total number of each type of atom in a compound, one must carefully account for both the subscripts and any coefficients. This involves multiplying the subscripts by any coefficients and summing the contributions from all parts of the formula. For example, in BaCl2, there is one barium atom and two chlorine atoms, leading to a total count of three atoms.