Which of the following chemical formulas contains the least total atoms?​

Question

CO​

H2O ​

Fe2O3​

C3H8

Answer 1

To determine which chemical formula contains the least total atoms, we can count the number of atoms in each formula:

1. CO (Carbon monoxide):

   • 1 Carbon (C) + 1 Oxygen (O) = 2 total atoms

2. H2O (Water):

   • 2 Hydrogen (H) + 1 Oxygen (O) = 3 total atoms

3. Fe2O3 (Iron(III) oxide):

   • 2 Iron (Fe) + 3 Oxygen (O) = 5 total atoms

4. C3H8 (Propane):

   • 3 Carbon (C) + 8 Hydrogen (H) = 11 total atoms

Now we can compare the total number of atoms:

• CO = 2 atoms
• H2O = 3 atoms
• Fe2O3 = 5 atoms
• C3H8 = 11 atoms

The formula with the least total atoms is CO, with a total of 2 atoms.