Final answer:
To determine the total number of atoms in Mg(NO3)2, simply add the number of magnesium atoms, multiply the nitrogen atoms by two, and the oxygen atoms by six, resulting in a total of 9 atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total number of atoms in Mg(NO3)2, we first recognize that the formula represents magnesium nitrate, which consists of one magnesium atom (Mg), two nitrogen atoms (since there is one nitrogen atom in each NO3 unit and there are two NO3 units), and six oxygen atoms (since there are three oxygen atoms in each NO3 unit and again there are two NO3 units).
Now, if we multiply the number of each type of atom by their respective counts in the formula, we get:
- 1 Mg atom
- 2 N atoms (1 x 2 = 2)
- 6 O atoms (3 x 2 = 6)
Adding them together:
1 Mg + 2 N + 6 O = 9 atoms in total.