To determine the number of oxygen atoms in the compound water (H₂O), we can start by examining its molecular formula.
1. The molecular formula for water is H₂O.
2. This formula indicates that each molecule of water consists of:
- 2 hydrogen (H) atoms
- 1 oxygen (O) atom
3. We're specifically interested in the number of oxygen atoms.
By looking at the molecular formula H₂O:
- For each molecule of water, there is exactly 1 oxygen atom.
Thus, the number of oxygen atoms in each molecule of water is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{1} \][/tex]
This means every single molecule of water contains 1 oxygen atom.
