Question

How many total atoms are in 2 AI(CO2)3

Answer 1

To find the total number of atoms in the compound \( 2 \text{AI(CO}_2\text{)}_3 \), we will first break down the components of the formula.

1. **Understanding the structure**:
- The formula \( \text{AI(CO}_2\text{)}_3 \) indicates that there is one aluminum atom (AI) and three \( CO_2 \) groups.

2. **Calculating atoms in \( CO_2 \)**:
- Each \( CO_2 \) molecule contains:
- 1 Carbon atom
- 2 Oxygen atoms
- Therefore, for three \( CO_2 \) molecules, the total is:
- Carbon: \( 3 \times 1 = 3 \) Carbon atoms
- Oxygen: \( 3 \times 2 = 6 \) Oxygen atoms

3. **Total atoms in \( AI(CO_2)_3 \)**:
- For \( AI(CO_2)_3 \):
- 1 Aluminum atom
- 3 Carbon atoms
- 6 Oxygen atoms
- This gives a total of:
- \( 1 + 3 + 6 = 10 \) atoms

4. **Considering the coefficient of 2**:
- Now, since we have \( 2 AI(CO_2)_3 \), we multiply the total atom count by 2:
- Total atoms = \( 2 \times 10 = 20 \)

Therefore, the total number of atoms in \( 2 \text{AI(CO}_2\text{)}_3 \) is **20 atoms**.