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april1961
april1961

What is the total number of atoms represented by the formula 2CO2?

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Posted by april1961 on Friday May 8, 2009 at 1:20 PM and tagged with atoms, carbon, co2, number, oxygen, science.

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  1. robertwilliam

    eNotes Editor

    The answer's 6.

    O2 (the 2 is usually written smaller and slightly below the line of the O) represent two oxygen atoms. And the C in front is a single atom of carbon.

    This is because a number AFTER the atom refers only to the atom directly in front of it. A number before refers to EVERYTHING that goes after it.

    So CO2 is 3 atoms (2 x O, 1 x C).

    And putting a 2 in front of it multiplies that number by 2.

    2 x (CO2)
    2 x (3)

    = 6 atoms.

    Hope it helps!

     

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    Posted by robertwilliam on Friday May 8, 2009 at 2:29 PM