Chemistry Question: Counting Atoms in Compounds

Question:

1. In the compound ZnSO4, how many sulfur atoms are there and what is the total number of atoms in the compound?

2. How about in Li2SO4?

3. Lastly, in Al2(SO3)3, what is the number of sulfur atoms and the total number of atoms?

Answer:

1. In ZnSO4, there is 1 sulfur atom and the total number of atoms is 6.

2. As for Li2SO4, there is 1 sulfur atom and a total of 7 atoms.

3. In Al2(SO3)3, there are 3 sulfur atoms and a total of 17 atoms.

Explanation:

When analyzing the composition of compounds, it is essential to consider the elements present and their respective quantities. In ZnSO4, the molecular formula indicates 1 sulfur atom and a total of 6 atoms, derived from 1 Zinc, 1 Sulfur, and 4 Oxygen atoms.

For Li2SO4, the sulfur atom is still 1, but the total atoms increase to 7 due to the presence of 2 Lithium atoms. Lastly, in Al2(SO3)3, the compound contains 3 sulfur atoms alongside 2 Aluminum and 9 Oxygen atoms, resulting in a total of 17 atoms.

The calculation of atoms in compounds is based on the molecular formula, with the subscripts providing valuable information on the number of atoms of each element. Understanding these fundamental principles is crucial in chemistry studies.