To determine the number of oxygen atoms in one mole of serotonin, we need to consider the molecular formula of serotonin and Avogadro's number.
1. Understand the molecular formula of serotonin:
Serotonin has the molecular formula [tex]\( C_{10}H_{12}N_2O \)[/tex]. This formula indicates that one molecule of serotonin contains:
- 10 carbon (C) atoms
- 12 hydrogen (H) atoms
- 2 nitrogen (N) atoms
- 1 oxygen (O) atom
2. Identify the relevant element:
We are interested in the number of oxygen atoms in one mole of serotonin. According to the formula [tex]\( C_{10}H_{12}N_2O \)[/tex], each molecule of serotonin contains exactly 1 oxygen atom.
3. Apply Avogadro's number:
Avogadro's number, [tex]\( 6.02 \times 10^{23} \)[/tex], represents the number of molecules in one mole of any substance. Therefore, one mole of serotonin contains [tex]\( 6.02 \times 10^{23} \)[/tex] molecules of serotonin.
4. Find the total number of oxygen atoms:
Since each molecule of serotonin contains 1 oxygen atom, the number of oxygen atoms in one mole of serotonin is exactly the same as the number of serotonin molecules in one mole.
Hence, the number of oxygen atoms in one mole of serotonin is:
[tex]\[ 6.02 \times 10^{23} \][/tex]
Therefore, the correct answer is:
A. [tex]\( 6.02 \times 10^{23} \)[/tex] atoms
