Questions: Aluminum sulfate, Al2(SO4)3, is used in styptic pencils to stop minor bleeding. What is the number of atoms in the chemical formula of aluminum sulfate? 12 14 17 10 21

Aluminum sulfate, Al2(SO4)3, is used in styptic pencils to stop minor bleeding. What is the number of atoms in the chemical formula of aluminum sulfate?
12
14
17
10
21

Transcript text: Part A Aluminum sulfate, $\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}$, is used in styptic pencils to stop minor bleeding. What is the number of atoms in the chemical formula of aluminum sulfate? 12 14 17 10 21 Submit Request Answer ovide Feedback

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the elements in the chemical formula

The chemical formula for aluminum sulfate is $\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}$. This formula contains aluminum (Al), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O).

Step 2: Count the number of atoms for each element

Aluminum (Al): There are 2 atoms of aluminum.
Sulfur (S): The sulfate ion $\mathrm{SO}_{4}$ contains 1 sulfur atom, and there are 3 sulfate ions, so there are $3 \times 1 = 3$ sulfur atoms.
Oxygen (O): The sulfate ion $\mathrm{SO}_{4}$ contains 4 oxygen atoms, and there are 3 sulfate ions, so there are $3 \times 4 = 12$ oxygen atoms.

Step 3: Sum the total number of atoms

Add the number of atoms for each element: \[ 2 \text{ (Al)} + 3 \text{ (S)} + 12 \text{ (O)} = 17 \text{ atoms} \]