Question

count the number of atoms for each element in the following term: 2hco₃⁻ there are atoms of hydrogen, atoms of carbon, and atoms of oxygen.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze hydrogen atoms

The coefficient \(2\) applies to the entire \(HCO_3^-\) ion. For hydrogen (\(H\)), there is \(1\) \(H\) atom in each \(HCO_3^-\) ion. So the number of \(H\) atoms is \(2\times1 = 2\).

Step2: Analyze carbon atoms

For carbon (\(C\)), there is \(1\) \(C\) atom in each \(HCO_3^-\) ion. Using the coefficient \(2\), the number of \(C\) atoms is \(2\times1=2\).

Step3: Analyze oxygen atoms

For oxygen (\(O\)), there are \(3\) \(O\) atoms in each \(HCO_3^-\) ion. With the coefficient \(2\), the number of \(O\) atoms is \(2\times3 = 6\).

Answer:

There are \(2\) atoms of hydrogen, \(2\) atoms of carbon, and \(6\) atoms of oxygen.