4
QuizMultiple Choice

Chemical Bonding — Test

Question 4 • Physical Science

"Na2⁢SO3” represents sodium sulfite. What does the 4 mean in the formula 4 Na sub 2 SO sub 3 ?

Answer
A
There are four molecules of sodium sulfite.
B
There are four elements in sodium sulfite.
C
There are four atoms of sodium.
D
There are four atoms of sodium sulfite.

Explanation

The number 4 written in front of Na₂SO₃ is a coefficient. It tells how many units of the compound are present, so 4 Na₂SO₃ means four units of sodium sulfite. It does not mean there are four elements or four sodium atoms; each unit contains two sodium atoms.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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