the total number of atoms represented in the formula: (NH4)3 PO4 (DOT) 6H20
3N
12H
1P
4O
12H
6O
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total = ?
To determine the total number of atoms in the formula (NH4)3PO4 · 6H2O, you need to count the atoms present in each element.
Let's break down the formula and count the atoms step by step:
(NH4)3PO4:
- Starting with (NH4), which represents the ammonium ion.
- The ammonium ion consists of one nitrogen atom (N) and four hydrogen atoms (H). So, in (NH4), there are:
- 1 nitrogen (N) atom
- 4 hydrogen (H) atoms
- Next, we have PO4, which represents the phosphate ion.
- The phosphate ion consists of one phosphorus atom (P) and four oxygen atoms (O). So, in PO4, there are:
- 1 phosphorus (P) atom
- 4 oxygen (O) atoms
So far, in (NH4)3PO4, we have counted:
- 1 nitrogen (N) atom
- 12 hydrogen (H) atoms
- 1 phosphorus (P) atom
- 4 oxygen (O) atoms
Now let's consider the second part of the formula, 6H2O:
- H2O represents a water molecule.
- Each water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms (H) and one oxygen atom (O). So, in H2O, there are:
- 2 hydrogen (H) atoms
- 1 oxygen (O) atom
Multiplying these numbers by 6, we get:
- 6 x 2 = 12 hydrogen (H) atoms
- 6 x 1 = 6 oxygen (O) atoms
Adding all the atoms together, we have:
- 1 nitrogen (N) atom
- 12 hydrogen (H) atoms
- 1 phosphorus (P) atom
- 4 oxygen (O) atoms (from (NH4)3PO4)
- 12 hydrogen (H) atoms
- 6 oxygen (O) atoms (from 6H2O)
Adding all these atoms together, we get a total of:
1 nitrogen (N) + 12 hydrogen (H) + 1 phosphorus (P) + 4 oxygen (O) + 12 hydrogen (H) + 6 oxygen (O) = 36 atoms.
Therefore, there are 36 atoms represented in the formula (NH4)3PO4 · 6H2O.