How to Count

Atoms in
Molecules
Worksheet
1. The symbol of an element represents one atom of
that element.
e.g., Ba = Barium
2. A subscript is a number written at the lower right
corner behind the symbol of an element. If there is
more than one atom of the element, then a
subscript is used to indicate the number of atoms.
e.g., Cl2 = 2 atoms of chlorine
3. A subscript outside a bracket multiples all the
elements inside the brackets.
e.g., Ca3(PO4)2 =
Ca = 3 P = 1 x 2 = 2
O = (2 x 4) =8
4. A coefficient is a number written in front

of a chemical symbol and indicates the

number of atoms of that element or number
of molecules
e.g., 3C = 3 molecules of carbon
2NaSO4 =
Na = 2x1 = 2, S = 2 x 1 = 2, O = 2x4=8
1.2 H2O
_____ Molecules of H2O
_____ H (hydrogen)
_____ O (oxygen)
_____ Total number of atoms
2. 3 Na2SO4
_____ Molecules of Na2SO4
_____ Na (sodium)
_____ S (sulphur)
_____ O (oxygen)
_____ Total number of atoms

3. 4 K2CO3
_____ Molecules of K2CO3
Type of Atom
# of Atoms
______________
______
______________
______
______________
______
_____ Total number of atoms
4. 3Na2CrO4
_____ Molecules of Na2CrO4
Type of Atom
# of Atoms
______________
______
______________
______
______________
______
_____ Total number of atoms
5. 2NH4C2H3O2
_____ Molecules of NH4C2H3O2
Type of Atom
# of Atoms
______________
______
______________
______
______________
______
______________
______
______________
______
_____ Total number of atoms
6. 3Pb(NO3)2
_____ Molecules of Pb(NO3)2
______________
______
______________
______
______________
______
______________
______
_____ Total number of atoms
7. 4Al2(CO3)3
_____ Molecules of Al2(CO3)3
______________
______
______________
______
______________
______
_____ Total number of atoms