Final answer:
To determine which sample contains the greatest number of atoms, we need to calculate the number of moles for each sample and then multiply it by Avogadro's number. The sample with the greatest number of atoms is 12 moles of CO.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to determine which sample contains the greatest number of atoms, we need to consider Avogadro's number. Avogadro's number, denoted as NA, is the number of molecules in a mole of a substance. It is approximately equal to 6.022 × 10^23. In this case, we need to calculate the number of moles for each sample and then multiply it by Avogadro's number to find the number of atoms:
a. 9 moles of CO₂: 9 x (6.022 × 10²³) atoms of CO₂ = 54.198 × 10²³
b. 10 moles of Xe: 10 x (6.022 × 10²³) atoms of Xe = 60.22 × 10²³
c. 11 moles of N₂O: 11 x (6.022 × 10²³) atoms of N₂O = 66.242 × 10²³
d. 12 moles of CO: 12 x (6.022 × 10²³) atoms of CO = 72.264 × 10²³
Therefore, the sample with the greatest number of atoms is 12 moles of CO.