8/28 Counting Atoms in Chemical Formulas

Front

What does H₂SO₄ represent?

Back

It represents a compound made of 2 Hydrogen (H), 1 Sulfur (S), and 4 Oxygen (O) atoms.

Front

What are subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts are the small numbers written to the lower right of an element symbol that indicate the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

What are coefficients in a chemical equation?

Back

Coefficients are the numbers placed in front of compounds in a chemical equation to indicate how many molecules are involved.

Front

How many total atoms are in the formula NaOH?

Back

There are 3 atoms: 1 Sodium (Na), 1 Oxygen (O), and 1 Hydrogen (H).

Front

What does the formula C₂H₈O represent?

Back

It represents a compound, specifically ethanol, made of 2 Carbon (C), 8 Hydrogen (H), and 1 Oxygen (O) atom.

Front

What is the purpose of a chemical formula?

Back

A chemical formula shows the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule.

Front

What does a subscript of '2' next to an element symbol indicate?

Back

It indicates that there are 2 atoms of that element in the molecule.

Front

What is the difference between an element and a compound?

Back

An element is a pure substance made of only one type of atom, while a compound is made of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together.

Front

How do you determine the number of atoms in a compound?

Back

Add the subscripts of all the elements in the chemical formula.

Front

What does the formula H₂O represent?

Back

It represents water, which is a compound made of 2 Hydrogen (H) atoms and 1 Oxygen (O) atom.