Which of the following correctly describes the atoms and their quantities in a water (H_2O) molecule?

• A. 1 hydrogen atom and 1 oxygen atom
• B. 1 hydrogen atom and 2 oxygen atoms
• C. 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom
• D. 2 oxygen atoms and 2 hydrogen atoms

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula of water, which is H_2O.
2. Understand that the subscript number in a chemical formula indicates the number of atoms of that element in one molecule.
3. In H_2O, the subscript '2' after hydrogen (H) means there are 2 hydrogen atoms.
4. There is no subscript after oxygen (O), which means there is 1 oxygen atom.
5. Therefore, a water molecule contains 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.