Final answer:
A formula unit of calcium acetate, Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂, contains 6 hydrogen atoms and 4 oxygen atoms, computed by multiplying the subscripts within the acetate ion by 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formula for calcium acetate is Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂. To find the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms in one formula unit of calcium acetate, we need to look at the subscripts in the formula. The subscript '2' outside the parentheses indicates that everything inside the parentheses is present in two copies in one formula unit. Therefore, each acetate ion (C₂H₃O₂) has three hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. Since there are two acetate ions in the formula, we simply multiply these amounts by two.
The number of hydrogen atoms per formula unit of calcium acetate is 3 (from one acetate ion) × 2 = 6 hydrogen atoms. Similarly, the number of oxygen atoms per formula unit of calcium acetate is 2 (from one acetate ion) × 2 = 4 oxygen atoms.