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Multiple Choice
How many total electrons are present in a molecule of water (H_2O)?
A
8
B
6
C
10
D
12
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atoms present in a water molecule: H_2O consists of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.
Determine the number of electrons contributed by each type of atom. Hydrogen has 1 electron each, and oxygen has 8 electrons.
Calculate the total number of electrons by multiplying the number of each atom by its electrons and then summing: Total electrons = (2 \times 1) + (1 \times 8).
Add the values to find the total number of electrons in the water molecule.
Confirm that the total number of electrons corresponds to the sum of all electrons from the constituent atoms in the molecule.