What is the total number of oxygen atoms on the left-hand side of 2Ca_2(PO_4)_2(s) + 4SiO_2(s) + 12C(s) -> 4CaSiO_3(s) + P_4(s) + 12CO(g)?

1 Answer
Apr 11, 2016

24 atoms of Oxygen.

Explanation:

On the LHS of the equation we have 2 formula units of
Ca_3 (P O4)_2

Each Formula unit has two PO_4 units , so one formula unit has 8 oxygen atoms. We have two such formula units , so the number of Oxygen atoms is 2 x 8 = 16 Oxygen atoms.

On the LHS of the equation we have 4 molecules of SiO_2
and each molecule has two Oxygen atoms, so four will have 4 x2 = 8 Oxygen atoms.

In all 16 + 8 = 24 Oxygen atoms are on the LHS of the equation