Let's break down the question step by step to understand what the number 4 in the formula [tex]$4 Na_2SO_3$[/tex] signifies:
1. The Chemical Formula of Sodium Sulfite:
- Sodium Sulfite is represented by [tex]$Na_2SO_3$[/tex].
2. Understanding the Multiplicative Coefficient:
- The number 4 in front of [tex]$Na_2SO_3$[/tex] acts as a coefficient.
- This coefficient applies to the entire molecule of Sodium Sulfite ([tex]$Na_2SO_3$[/tex]).
3. Interpretation of the Coefficient:
- This coefficient indicates that we have four times the entire unit of [tex]$Na_2SO_3$[/tex].
Now, let's analyze the options provided:
- There are four atoms of sodium:
While it's true that each unit of Sodium Sulfite ([tex]$Na_2SO_3$[/tex]) contains 2 atoms of sodium, the coefficient 4 means there are actually [tex]\(4 \times 2 = 8\)[/tex] sodium atoms in total. Hence, this statement doesn't accurately describe what the 4 means.
- There are four atoms of sodium sulfite:
This statement is not correct because sodium sulfite ([tex]$Na_2SO_3$[/tex]) is a molecule, not an atom. The number 4 does not indicate four individual atoms of sodium sulfite.
- There are four molecules of sodium sulfite:
This is correct. The coefficient 4 indicates that there are four entire molecules of Sodium Sulfite. Each [tex]$Na_2SO_3$[/tex] molecule is counted once, and having 4 in front means there are four of these molecules.
- There are four elements in sodium sulfite:
Sodium Sulfite ([tex]$Na_2SO_3$[/tex]) contains three elements (Sodium (Na), Sulfur (S), and Oxygen (O)). The number 4 in the formula does not relate to the count of different elements present in the molecule.
Thus, from the given analysis, the correct interpretation of the number 4 in the formula [tex]$4 Na_2SO_3$[/tex] is:
There are four molecules of sodium sulfite.
