Let's analyze Elena's calculations step by step, considering the chemical formula \( 3(NH_4)_2SO_4 \).
-
Nitrogen (N):
- The formula \( (NH_4)_2 \) indicates that there are 2 nitrogen atoms per ammonium ion. Since there are 3 of these ammonium ions, the total nitrogen atoms are: \[ 2 , (\text{from } NH_4) \times 3 = 6. \]
-
Hydrogen (H):
- The ammonium ion has 4 hydrogen atoms. Therefore, the total hydrogen atoms are: \[ 4 \times 2 , (\text{NH}_4 \text{ ions}) \times 3 = 24. \]
-
Sulfur (S):
- Sulfate \( SO_4 \) contains 1 sulfur atom, and since there is only one sulfate in the formula, the total sulfur is: \[ 1 , (\text{from } SO_4) \times 3 = 3. \]
-
Oxygen (O):
- The sulfate has 4 oxygen atoms, so the total oxygen atoms are: \[ 4 \times 3 = 12. \]
Now, let's evaluate the incorrect entries in Elena's table based on the chemical formula:
- For nitrogen: 6 (this is correct).
- For hydrogen: 24 (this is correct).
- For sulfur: Elena calculated \(1 \times 4 \times 3\), which is incorrect. She should have just taken the sulfur from the sulfate directly as 1 (not multiplied by 4) and counted it as 3.
- For oxygen: 12 (this is correct).
The mistake Elena made involved the sulfur atoms. She mistakenly multiplied the number of sulfur atoms by the coefficient 3 in her calculation.
Therefore, the correct answer is: She should not have multiplied the sulfur atoms by the subscript 4.