Chemistry: Counting Atoms

Counting atoms in a chemical formula is essential in understanding the composition of a substance. To count atoms, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Write the chemical formula.

Start by writing down the chemical formula of the compound you are analyzing. This formula represents the types and numbers of atoms present in the compound.

Step 2: List all the atoms.

Identify and list all the different types of atoms present in the chemical formula. Each element will have its own symbol, such as H for Hydrogen and O for Oxygen.

Step 3: Count the number of atoms of each element in 1 molecule.

Determine the number of atoms of each element present in one molecule of the compound. This information can be found in the subscript written after each element's symbol in the chemical formula.

Step 4: Multiply the number of atoms of each by the coefficient.

If there is a coefficient outside the parentheses, multiply it by the subscript of each element inside the parentheses to get the total number of atoms for that element.

Step 5: Make sure your answer makes sense.

After multiplying the number of atoms of each element by the coefficient, double-check your calculations to ensure accuracy. The final answer should make sense based on the original chemical formula.