In the chemical formula Ca(OH)_2, how many atoms of each element are present in one formula unit?

• A. 1 Ca, 2 O, 1 H
• B. 1 Ca, 2 O, 2 H
• C. 1 Ca, 1 O, 2 H
• D. 2 Ca, 2 O, 2 H

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements present in the chemical formula Ca(OH)\_2. Here, the elements are Calcium (Ca), Oxygen (O), and Hydrogen (H).
2. Understand that the subscript outside the parentheses applies to all atoms inside the parentheses. In Ca(OH)\_2, the subscript 2 applies to both O and H inside the parentheses.
3. Count the number of atoms for each element: Calcium (Ca) has no subscript outside the parentheses, so there is 1 Ca atom.
4. Oxygen (O) inside the parentheses has a subscript of 1, multiplied by the 2 outside the parentheses, giving 2 O atoms.
5. Hydrogen (H) inside the parentheses has a subscript of 1, multiplied by the 2 outside the parentheses, giving 2 H atoms.