Final answer:
The molecule with formula C8H8O3 consists of 19 total atoms - 8 carbon, 8 hydrogen, and 3 oxygen atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecule represented by the formula C8H8O3 consists of 8 carbon atoms, 8 hydrogen atoms, and 3 oxygen atoms. To determine the total number of atoms, you simply add these numbers together, resulting in 8 + 8 + 3, which equals 19 atoms in total.
Regarding the calculation of atoms and molecules, it is essential to remember that the number of each type of atom in a molecule is given by its molecular formula. In a more complex compound such as metaldehyde, mentioned in the provided reference, the molecular formula gives the exact number of atoms of each element in one molecule of that compound. In the example, metaldehyde has a molecular formula of C8H16O4, which means it contains 8 carbon, 16 hydrogen, and 4 oxygen atoms.