Question

Is the number of hydrogen atoms a function of the number of oxygen atoms? Explain

Answer 1

Answer:

To count atoms in a molecule, add the subscripts of the molecule. Remember that if you do not see a subscript after a symbol, its subscript is 1. One molecule of water contains 3 atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecular formula for water is

H

2

O

, meaning there are 2 hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. I found this by adding the subscripts. 2 is the subscript on hydrogen, and 1 is the subscript on oxygen, so 2 + 1 = 3 atoms total.

For example, to count the number of atoms in one molecule of glucose,

C

6

H

12

O

6

, add the subscripts, so 6+12+6 is 24 atoms. Note that

C

6

H

12

O

6

is the molecular formula of glucose, not the empirical formula.