Final answer:
In 2CuSO4, there are three distinct elements: copper (Cu), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O), regardless of the coefficient 2 indicating two formula units of copper(II) sulfate. The correct answer is D. 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the number of elements found in the chemical compound 2CuSO4. In this compound, '2' represents the number of formula units of copper(II) sulfate, which does not affect the count of different elements present. In one molecule of copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4), there are several different elements:
Copper (Cu)
Sulfur (S)
Oxygen (O)
Therefore, there are three distinct elements within copper(II) sulfate: copper, sulfur, and oxygen. Since the number '2' at the beginning indicates the presence of two formula units and does not introduce any new elements, the answer remains the same: three distinct elements (Cu, S, and O).
The correct answer to the question is: D. 3