Counting Elements and Atoms Calculator
Enter a chemical formula (e.g., H2O, CO2, C6H12O6):
Here’s a table summarizing how to count elements and atoms in a chemical formula:
Counting Elements and Atoms in a Chemical Formula
| Term | Definition | Example | Elements Present | Total Atoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element | A pure substance consisting of only one type of atom. | O (Oxygen) | Oxygen | 1 |
| Molecule | Two or more atoms chemically bonded together. | O₂ (Oxygen Gas) | Oxygen | 2 |
| Compound | A substance composed of two or more different elements. | H₂O (Water) | Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O) | 3 |
| Subscript | The small number written after an element symbol, indicating the number of atoms of that element. | CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) | Carbon (C), Oxygen (O) | 3 (1C, 2O) |
| Coefficient | A number before a formula indicating how many molecules or formula units are present. | 2H₂O (Water) | Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O) | 6 (4H, 2O) |
| Parentheses | Grouping used in formulas to indicate multiple atoms within a polyatomic ion or a complex structure. | Al₂(SO₄)₃ (Aluminum Sulfate) | Aluminum (Al), Sulfur (S), Oxygen (O) | 17 (2Al, 3S, 12O) |
| Polyatomic Ion | A group of atoms covalently bonded together that act as a single charged entity. | NH₄⁺ (Ammonium) | Nitrogen (N), Hydrogen (H) | 5 (1N, 4H) |
Examples of Counting Atoms in a Compound
| Chemical Formula | Elements Present | Total Atoms |
|---|---|---|
| H₂O (Water) | H, O | 3 (2H, 1O) |
| CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) | C, O | 3 (1C, 2O) |
| CH₄ (Methane) | C, H | 5 (1C, 4H) |
| NaCl (Salt) | Na, Cl | 2 (1Na, 1Cl) |
| H₂SO₄ (Sulfuric Acid) | H, S, O | 7 (2H, 1S, 4O) |
| C₆H₁₂O₆ (Glucose) | C, H, O | 24 (6C, 12H, 6O) |