Final answer:
The atomic radius of oxygen is half of the O–O bond length, which is given as 1.20741 × 10⁻¹⁰ m. The correct atomic radius with the appropriate number of significant figures is 6.03705 × 10⁻¹¹ m, matching option (c).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the atomic radius of an oxygen atom. Given that the O–O bond length in oxygen gas (O₂) is 1.20741 × 10⁻¹⁰ m, and knowing that the atomic radius is exactly one-half of the O–O bond length, we can find the atomic radius by dividing the given bond length by 2.
Atomic radius calculation: (1.20741 × 10⁻¹⁰ m) / 2 = 6.03705 × 10⁻¹¹ m.
However, when expressing this in scientific notation with the correct number of significant figures based on the given data, we need to adhere to the original number's significant figures, which are six (1.20741). Thus, when calculating and rounding accordingly, the atomic radius should be written as 6.03705 × 10⁻¹¹ m, which corresponds to option c. 6.03705 × 10⁻¹¹.