Textbook Question
Determine the number of each type of atom in each formula. b. Co(ClO4)2
Ch.3 - Molecules and Compounds
Tro6th EditionChemistry: A Molecular ApproachISBN: 9780137832217
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Matter, Measurement & Problem Solving118
- Ch.2 - Atoms & Elements106
- Ch.3 - Molecules and Compounds131
- Ch.4 - Chemical Reactions and Chemical Quantities56
- Ch.5 - Introduction to Solutions and Aqueous Solutions82
- Ch.6 - Gases114
- Ch.7 - Thermochemistry96
- Ch.8 - The Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom60
- Ch.9 - Periodic Properties of the Elements90
- Ch.10 - Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model89
- Ch.11 - Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VSEPR & MO Theory85
- Ch.12 - Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces51
- Ch.13 - Solids & Modern Materials47
- Ch.14 - Solutions90
- Ch.15 - Chemical Kinetics115
- Ch.16 - Chemical Equilibrium68
- Ch.17 - Acids and Bases136
- Ch.18 - Aqueous Ionic Equilibrium153
- Ch.19 - Free Energy & Thermodynamics93
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry106
- Ch.21 - Radioactivity & Nuclear Chemistry74
- Ch.22 - Organic Chemistry140
Chapter 3, Problem 26c
Determine the number of each type of atom in each formula. c. Cr2(SO4)3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the different elements present in the chemical formula Cr2(SO4)3.
Recognize that the formula contains chromium (Cr), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O).
Determine the number of chromium atoms: The subscript '2' next to Cr indicates there are 2 chromium atoms.
Determine the number of sulfate ions (SO4): The subscript '3' outside the parentheses indicates there are 3 sulfate ions.
Calculate the total number of sulfur and oxygen atoms: Each sulfate ion (SO4) contains 1 sulfur atom and 4 oxygen atoms, so multiply these by 3 to find the total number of sulfur and oxygen 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. In the formula Cr2(SO4)3, the subscript numbers indicate how many of each atom are present. For example, 'Cr2' means there are two chromium atoms, while '(SO4)3' indicates that there are three sulfate groups, each containing one sulfur and four oxygen atoms.
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Subscripts and Parentheses in Formulas
Subscripts in chemical formulas denote the number of atoms of the element directly preceding them. Parentheses are used to group atoms that are part of a polyatomic ion, and when a subscript follows the parentheses, it multiplies the number of each atom within the parentheses. In Cr2(SO4)3, the '3' outside the parentheses means that each atom in the sulfate ion (SO4) is counted three times.
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Counting Atoms in Compounds
To determine the total number of each type of atom in a compound, one must carefully analyze the formula. For Cr2(SO4)3, you would count 2 chromium atoms, 3 sulfur atoms (1 from each of the 3 sulfate groups), and 12 oxygen atoms (4 from each sulfate group multiplied by 3). This systematic counting is essential for understanding the composition of the compound.
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