This document provides instructions for counting atoms in chemical formulas. It explains that chemical formulas use element symbols from the periodic table, which may include subscripts to indicate the number of each atom. It notes that if no subscript is present, the atom count is 1, and if a subscript is outside parentheses it is distributed to each atom inside. The document also explains that coefficients represent the total number of that chemical formula and are distributed by multiplying the coefficient by each atom's subscript. It provides two examples working through identifying atoms, subscripts, and distributing coefficients to arrive at the total count of each element.

1. Name: _________________________________ Period: ________
Date: _______
How to Count Atoms
Chemical formulas use the chemical element symbols found on the periodic table. Element symbols
are either one capital letter or one capital letter followed by a lower case letter. For example, using
H for hydrogen or He for helium. When counting atoms of each element in a chemical formula, first
we need to identify which atoms are present. Next, we look for subscripts. The subscript affects
only the atom that if follows. If no subscript is written, the atom is considered to have a subscript of
1. If a subscript follows parentheses, the subscript of each atom in the parentheses is multiplied by
the subscript outside of the parentheses. Rewrite the problem after these calculations. Finally, we
identify coefficients. Coefficients are distributed to all atoms in the chemical formula. The
coefficient is multiplied by the subscripts. If no coefficient is present, it is assumed to be 1. Let’s
work some examples.
Example 1: 3H2O
1. Identify the atoms. 3H2O
H and O
2. Identify subscripts.
H subscript = 2
O subscript = 1 coefficient subscript
3. Identify and distribute coefficients.
Coefficient = 3
3 x H subscript = 3 x 2 = 6 H
3 x O subscript = 3 x 1 = 3 O
Name of Atom Atom Symbol Total # of each atom
Hydrogen H 6
Oxygen O 3
Total of All Atoms 9
Example 2: 4Co(NO3)2
1. Identify the atoms. 4Co(NO3)2
Co, N, O
2. Identify subscripts.
Co subscript = 1
(NO3) subscript = 2 This subscript needs to be distributed because it is outside of
parentheses!
2 x N subscript = 2 x 1 = 2
2 x O subscript = 2 x 3 = 6
The problem can now be rewritten as CoN2O6
3. Identify and distribute coefficients.
Coefficient = 4
4 x Co subscript = 4 x 1 = 4 Co
4 x N subscript = 4 x 2 = 8 N
4 x O subscript = 4 x 6 = 24 O
Name of Atom Type of Atom Total # of each atom
Cobalt Co 4
Nitrogen N 8
Oxygen O 24
Total of All Atoms 36

2. Name: _________________________________ Period: ________
Date: _______
Counting the Number of Atoms in a Molecule Activity
Count each of the atoms, find the total number, and number for each element.
Subscript: The number telling you how many of each atom there are (H20)2
Coefficient: The large number in front tells you how many of that molecule (2NaOH)
Total No.
Substance of Atoms Element 1 Element 2 Element 3
1 CaCO3 Ca= C= O=
2 2CaSO4 Ca= S= O=
3 3Ca(NO3)2 Ca= N= O=
4 2Mg(OH)2 Mg= O= H=
5 2Na2CO3 Na= C= O=
6 Na3PO4 Na= P= O=
7 2K2Cr2O7 K= Cr= O=
8 C6H7O2 C= H= O=
9 2SiO2 Si= O= -
10 2CH4 C= H= -
11 2Al2(SO)3 Al= S= O=