Question

Jenny is studying a compound that has two oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom. Which statement describes the subscripts she will use to write the chemical formula? She will use one 2 as a subscript. She will use one 2 and one 1 as subscripts. She will use one 3 as a subscript. She will use two 2s and one 1 as subscripts.

Answer 1

Answer:

She will use one 2 as a subscript.

Explanation:

Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol "N" and has an atomic number of 7. Thus, it is found in group (5) of the periodic table and as such it has 5 electrons in its outermost shell. Therefore, nitrogen has two (5) valence electrons.

On the other hand, oxygen has an atomic number of 8 and with the symbol "O."

When nitrogen and oxygen react chemically, they produce a compound known as nitrogen dioxide $NO_{2}$

In this scenario, Jenny is studying a compound that has two oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom. Therefore, the statement which describes the subscripts she will use to write the chemical formula is, she will use one 2 as a subscript.

$N + O_{2} ------> NO_{2}$

Where: 2 represents the subscript of oxygen.