Question

Al2(SO2)3, Aluminum Sulfate

To find the total number of atoms, multiply 3 by each element in the parenthesis, then add the additional Al atoms. Total
a. 1 Al, 2 S, 6 O
b. 2 Al, 3 S, 9 O
c. 3 Al, 6 S, 18 O
d. 3 Al, 3 S, 9 O

Answer 1

The correct calculation of total atoms in Aluminum Sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) results in 2 aluminum atoms, 3 sulfur atoms, and 12 oxygen atoms, which is not listed in the answer choices suggesting a typo in the question.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the total number of atoms in Aluminum Sulfate (Al2(SO4)3), we must consider the subscript numbers in the chemical formula. The formula shows that for every one molecule of aluminum sulfate, there are 2 aluminum (Al) atoms, 3 sulfate (SO4) groups, and each sulfate group contains 1 sulfur (S) atom and 4 oxygen (O) atoms. Therefore, we multiply the number of sulfate groups by the number of atoms they contain:

• Aluminum (Al): 2 atoms,
• Sulfur (S): 3 groups × 1 atom/group = 3 atoms,
• Oxygen (O): 3 groups × 4 atoms/group = 12 atoms.

Adding them together, the total number of atoms in one molecule of aluminum sulfate will be 2 Al, 3 S, and 12 O, which is not represented in the given options. It seems there may be a typo in the question since the correct formula for aluminum sulfate is Al2(SO4)3 and not Al2(SO2)3.