Question

How to calculate the atomicity of NaOH?

Answer 1

Before solving this question, we should first know what atomicity is. Atomicity is the total number of atoms that are present in a molecule or the number of atoms that are bonded together to form an element. They can be further divided into different types.

Complete answer:
In this question, we have been asked about the atomicity of NaOH. Before jumping to the answer, let us study a little about atomicity and its types.
The number of atoms that are present in a molecule of any compound determines the atomicity. In simpler words, the addition of the number of different atoms that form a molecule.
Atomicity is of four types :
Monoatomic Molecules – The atomicity of these molecules is one. Example- All noble gases
Diatomic Molecules – The atomicity of these molecules is two. Example- ${{H}_{2}}$, ${{O}_{2}}$ etc.
Triatomic Molecules – The atomicity of these molecules is three. Example- ${{O}_{3}}$
Polyatomic Molecules – The atomicity of these molecules is more than three. Example- ${{P}_{4}}$
Now, we have to apply the same concept to solve the question. As you can see NaOH has three different atoms that are Sodium, Oxygen, and Hydrogen.
So, the Atomicity of NaOH is 1+1+1 = 3.

Additional Information:
Atomicity can easily be found in simple compounds but for complex structures such as carbon, silicon It becomes difficult to find the atomicity. So in these cases, the atomicity is assumed to be 1.

Note:
Atomicity can also be defined as the ratio of molecular mass and atomic mass.
$Atomicity=\,\dfrac{Molecular\,Mass}{Atomic\,Mass}$
For Example, In ${{H}_{2}}$the molecular mass is 2 and the Atomic mass is 1.
So, Atomicity of ${{H}_{2}}$= $\dfrac{2}{1}$= 2