If you have 63.5 mol of P_4O_{10}, how many moles of phosphorus atoms (P) are present?

• A. 127 mol
• B. 254 mol
• C. 635 mol
• D. 63.5 mol

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula given: \(P_4O_{10}\). This means each molecule contains 4 phosphorus (P) atoms and 10 oxygen (O) atoms.
2. Understand that the question asks for the number of moles of phosphorus atoms, not molecules of \(P_4O_{10}\).
3. Use the relationship between moles of compound and moles of atoms: multiply the moles of \(P_4O_{10}\) by the number of phosphorus atoms per molecule.
4. Set up the calculation: \(\text{moles of P atoms} = 63.5 \text{ mol } P_4O_{10} \times 4 \frac{\text{mol P}}{\text{mol } P_4O_{10}}\).
5. Perform the multiplication to find the total moles of phosphorus atoms present.