The number of oxygen atoms present in the chemical formula of fuming sulfuric acid is:
- A
- B
- C
- D
The number of oxygen atoms present in the chemical formula of fuming sulfuric acid is:
Correct answer:B
Standard Method
Given: The compound is fuming sulfuric acid.
Find: The number of oxygen atoms present in its chemical formula.
Fuming sulfuric acid is also known as oleum. It can be represented as , or viewed as .
Counting oxygen atoms:
So, total oxygen atoms are
We can also verify directly from , where the subscript of oxygen is .
Therefore, the number of oxygen atoms in fuming sulfuric acid is . Hence, the correct option is B.
Direct Formula Recognition
Given: Fuming sulfuric acid is oleum.
Find: The number of oxygen atoms in its formula.
Use the formula of oleum directly:
The subscript of oxygen is , so the compound contains oxygen atoms.
Therefore, the correct option is B.
Mistake: Confusing fuming sulfuric acid with only and counting oxygen atoms. Why it is wrong: fuming sulfuric acid is oleum, not pure sulfuric acid. What to do instead: recall that oleum is represented as or .
Mistake: Adding the formulas incorrectly and miscounting oxygen atoms. Why it is wrong: contributes oxygen atoms and contributes , giving , not any other value. What to do instead: count atoms from each part carefully before summing.
Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step — free to start.