Question

Put in order from most oxygen atoms to least oxygen atoms in the formula:

a) CO₂
b) H₂O
c) CH₄
d) O₂

Answer 1

From most to least oxygen atoms, the order is CO₂ (2), O₂ (2), H₂O (1), and CH₄ (0), with both CO₂ and O₂ having equal numbers of oxygen atoms in their respective molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the order of molecules from most to least oxygen atoms, we need to count the number of oxygen atoms present in each molecule and then arrange them accordingly.

1. CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide): Contains 2 oxygen atoms.
2. H₂O (Water): Contains 1 oxygen atom.
3. O₂ (Oxygen gas): Contains 2 oxygen atoms in each molecule, since oxygen is diatomic in its natural form.
4. CH₄ (Methane): Contains no oxygen atoms.

So, the order from the most to the least oxygen atoms is CO₂ (2), O₂ (2), H₂O (1), and CH₄ (0).

Note that for the purpose of this question, O₂ is treated similarly to CO₂ since both contain 2 oxygen atoms per molecule.