The 4 in the formula [tex]\( 4 \, \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_3 \)[/tex] refers to the number of molecules of sodium sulfite. Let's break down the details:
The chemical formula [tex]\( \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_3 \)[/tex] represents one molecule of sodium sulfite. Within this molecule, we have:
- [tex]\( 2 \)[/tex] Sodium ([tex]\( \text{Na} \)[/tex]) atoms
- [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex] Sulfur ([tex]\( \text{S} \)[/tex]) atom
- [tex]\( 3 \)[/tex] Oxygen ([tex]\( \text{O} \)[/tex]) atoms
When there is a coefficient (like the number 4 here) in front of a chemical formula, it indicates the number of molecules of that compound. Therefore:
- [tex]\( 4 \, \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_3 \)[/tex] means four molecules of sodium sulfite.
To elaborate further:
- Each molecule of [tex]\( \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_3 \)[/tex] contains [tex]\( 2 \text{Na} \)[/tex], [tex]\( 1 \text{S} \)[/tex], and [tex]\( 3 \text{O} \)[/tex] atoms.
- The coefficient 4 means that you have four sets of these atoms.
Therefore, the correct interpretation of the 4 in the given formula is:
- There are four molecules of sodium sulfite.
