Question

independent practice (ip): molecules, chemical formulae & bonding

name: luzmaria date: 6/29/26

part 2: reading chemical formulas

for each formula, identify:

• the elements present
• the number of each atom
• the total number of atoms

1. \\(\text{co}_2\\)

carbon: _____

oxygen: _____

total atoms: _____

Explanation:

Identify elements and subscripts

In the chemical formula \(\text{CO}_2\), we identify the chemical symbols for each element present.

• \(\text{C}\) represents Carbon.
• \(\text{O}\) represents Oxygen.

Determine the number of Carbon atoms

When an element symbol has no subscript written next to it, it is understood to have a subscript of 1.

• Carbon (\(\text{C}\)) has an implicit subscript of 1.
• Therefore, there is 1 Carbon atom.

Determine the number of Oxygen atoms

The subscript written directly after an element's symbol indicates how many atoms of that element are in the molecule.

• Oxygen (\(\text{O}\)) has a subscript of 2.
• Therefore, there are 2 Oxygen atoms.

Calculate the total number of atoms

To find the total number of atoms in one molecule of \(\text{CO}_2\), we add the quantities of each individual atom together.

• \(\text{Total Atoms} = 1 \text{ (Carbon)} + 2 \text{ (Oxygen)} = 3\) atoms.

Answer:

1. \(\text{CO}_2\)

Carbon: <blank>1</blank>

Oxygen: <blank>2</blank>

Total Atoms: <blank>3</blank>