Question

A scientist found a new compound Y while working on a new experiment.

He represented the compound Y as $Fe(HC{O}_3{)}_3$. What is its atomicity? [1 mark]
A. 16
B. 6
C. 8
D. 15

Answer 1

Correct answer: Option A. 16
Fe(HCO₃)₃ has 1 iron atom and within brackets it has 1 carbon, 1 hydrogen and 3 oxygen atoms.

But it indicates that 3 $\left(HC{O}_3\right)$ groups are present in the formula. So the number of atoms in the brackets should be multiplied thrice.

So, $(HC{O}_3{)}_3$ contains 3 carbon, 3 hydrogen and 9 oxygen atoms.

Adding all of them up, the atomicity comes out to be 16 atoms.