Question

Given the following formula, calculate the total number of atoms for each element.

Molecule: H2O
Total atoms of hydrogen: ____
Total atoms of oxygen: ____
Total Atoms: ____

Answer 1

A water molecule (H₂O) contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, totalling three atoms per molecule.

Step-by-step explanation:

When calculating the total number of atoms for each element in a molecule of water (H₂O), we use the molecular formula to understand that:

• Each molecule of water consists of two hydrogen atoms.
• There is one oxygen atom in each water molecule.

So:

• Total atoms of hydrogen: 2
• Total atoms of oxygen: 1
• Total Atoms: 2 (hydrogen) + 1 (oxygen) = 3

These counts are per molecule of water, and they can be scaled up proportionally based on the number of water molecules you have.