How many total atoms are in the chemical formula Ai(NO3)3? I thought it was ten because Ai is 1 atom. The No3 is 3 atoms times the 3 is 9 plus the 1 is ten.
Nope but close.
1 Al + 3N + 9O = ?
NO3 = nitrate ion is not an atom. There are 4 atoms in 1 NO3^- and 3x that is 12 + the 1 Al = ?
To determine the total number of atoms in the chemical formula Ai(NO3)3, let's break down the formula:
Ai(NO3)3 consists of two components: Ai and NO3.
1. Ai: This represents one atom, as you correctly mentioned.
2. NO3: This is a polyatomic ion called nitrate. It consists of one nitrogen atom (N) and three oxygen atoms (O).
Therefore, the number of atoms in NO3 is 1 (N atom) + 3 (O atoms) = 4 atoms.
Now, we multiply the number of atoms in NO3 (4 atoms) by the coefficient outside the parenthesis (3):
4 atoms × 3 = 12 atoms.
Since Ai(NO3)3 has 1 Ai atom and 12 NO3 atoms, the total number of atoms in the formula is:
1 (Ai atom) + 12 (NO3 atoms) = 13 atoms.
So, there are a total of 13 atoms in the chemical formula Ai(NO3)3, not 10.