To determine the number of each type of atom in the compound magnesium nitrate, which has the formula [tex]\( Mg(NO_3)_2 \)[/tex], let's break it down step by step.
1. Magnesium (Mg):
- The formula [tex]\( Mg(NO_3)_2 \)[/tex] indicates that there is one magnesium atom in the compound.
- Thus, the number of magnesium atoms in the formula is [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex].
2. Nitrogen (N):
- The compound has two nitrate groups, denoted by the subscript [tex]\( 2 \)[/tex] outside the parentheses [tex]\( (NO_3)_2 \)[/tex].
- Each nitrate group [tex]\( NO_3 \)[/tex] contains one nitrogen atom.
- Therefore, the total number of nitrogen atoms is [tex]\( 2 \)[/tex] (because [tex]\( 2 \times 1 = 2 \)[/tex]).
3. Oxygen (O):
- Again, examining the compound, there are two nitrate groups.
- Each nitrate group contains three oxygen atoms.
- Therefore, the total number of oxygen atoms is [tex]\( 6 \)[/tex] (because [tex]\( 2 \times 3 = 6 \)[/tex]).
Summarizing our findings in the table format:
[tex]\[
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline
atom & number in formula \\
\hline
magnesium & 1 \\
\hline
nitrogen & 2 \\
\cline { 1 - 1 }
oxygen & 6 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\][/tex]
To restate:
- There is [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex] magnesium atom.
- There are [tex]\( 2 \)[/tex] nitrogen atoms.
- There are [tex]\( 6 \)[/tex] oxygen atoms.
