Question

What is the atomicity of carbon dioxide and water?

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition of Atomicity

• The number of atoms constituting a molecule is known as its atomicity.
• For example, an oxygen molecule $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$ is known as a diatomic molecule because it contains two oxygen atoms.

Step 2: Determine the atomicity of water

• Molecules of compounds are formed when atoms of different elements combine in definite proportions.
• In the case of water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$, two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom are combined.
• So, water is triatomic and its atomicity is 3.

Step 3: Determine the atomicity of carbon dioxide

• In the case of Carbon dioxide$\left({\text{CO}}_2\right)$, two oxygen atoms and one carbon are combined.
• So, the atomicity of Carbon dioxide is $3$ as it is triatomic.