Final answer:
A molecule of stearic acid has a total of 56 atoms, summing up 18 carbon atoms, 36 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecule in question, stearic acid, has the chemical formula C18H36O2. To find the total number of atoms in a molecule of stearic acid, you must add up all the individual atoms of each element present in the molecule. There are 18 carbon (C) atoms, 36 hydrogen (H) atoms, and 2 oxygen (O) atoms. Therefore, the total number of atoms in a molecule of stearic acid is 18 (C) + 36 (H) + 2 (O) = 56 atoms. Thus, the correct answer is not listed among the options a) 18, b) 36, c) 54, or d) 72,