Final answer:
There are 8 oxygen atoms in the molecule Pb(SO4)2. This is calculated by recognizing that each sulfate ion has 4 oxygen atoms, and there are two sulfate ions in the compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the number of oxygen atoms in the molecule Pb(SO4)2, we need to understand the composition of the sulfate ion, SO42-. Each sulfate ion consists of one sulfur atom and four oxygen atoms. Since the molecule has two sulfate ions, as indicated by the subscript 2 following SO4, we must multiply the number of oxygen atoms in one sulfate ion by 2.
Step-by-step calculation:
- Identify the number of oxygen atoms in one sulfate (SO42-) ion: 4 oxygen atoms.
- Since there are 2 sulfate ions in Pb(SO4)2, multiply 4 by 2: 4 oxygen atoms/ion × 2 ions = 8 oxygen atoms.
Therefore, there are 8 oxygen atoms in the molecule Pb(SO4)2.