Question
Question: How many atoms are present in one molecule of aluminium sulphate?...
How many atoms are present in one molecule of aluminium sulphate?
Solution
For counting the number of atoms in one molecule, we first need to know the chemical formula of the compound. Then we need to figure out the number written as a subscript and superscript. And finally adding the number of all individual atoms will give the total number of atoms in that molecule.
Complete answer:
The total number of atoms present in the aluminium sulphate can be determined by following the given steps.
-Figure out the correct chemical formula of aluminium sulphate.
-The chemical formula of aluminium sulphate is - Al2(SO4)3
Next, we need to figure out the subscripts –
Two in subscript refers to the two atoms of aluminium.
Subscript three refers to the three ions of sulphate. Now, the sulphate ion itself contains four oxygen and one sulphur atom. This sum up to three sulphur atoms and four times three, i.e. twelve atoms of oxygen.
-Now, we have two aluminium atoms, three sulphur atoms and twelve oxygen atoms in one molecule of aluminium sulphate.
-Hence, the total number of atoms in the aluminium sulphate molecule is -
2+3+12=17 , i.e. seventeen atoms.
So, we can conclude that there are seventeen atoms in a single molecule of aluminium sulphate.
Note:
Aluminum sulfate is a compound with a molecular formula Al2(SO4)3 . It is dissolvable in water and is fundamentally utilized as a coagulating specialist in the cleaning of drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, and in paper fabricating.