Caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee, is composed of eight atoms of carbon, ten atoms of hydrogen, four atoms of nitrogen, and two atoms of oxygen. The chemical formula of caffeine is:
[tex]$C _8 H _{10} N_4 O$[/tex]
[tex]$C _8 H _{12} N_4 O _4$[/tex]
CHNO
[tex]$C _8 H _{10} N_4$[/tex]
[tex]$C _8 H _{10} N_4 O _2$[/tex]
Answer (2)
Identify the number of atoms for each element in caffeine.
Construct the chemical formula based on the atomic composition: C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 .
Compare the derived formula with the given options.
The chemical formula of caffeine is C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given the atomic composition of caffeine: 8 carbon atoms, 10 hydrogen atoms, 4 nitrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. We need to write the chemical formula for caffeine based on this information.
Constructing the Chemical Formula The chemical formula represents the number of atoms of each element in a molecule. In this case, we have:
Carbon (C): 8 atoms
Hydrogen (H): 10 atoms
Nitrogen (N): 4 atoms
Oxygen (O): 2 atoms So, the chemical formula is C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 .
Identifying the Correct Option Now, we compare our derived formula with the given options:
C 8 H 10 N 4 O
C 8 H 12 N 4 O 4
CHNO
C 8 H 10 N 4
C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 The correct option is C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 .
Final Answer Therefore, the chemical formula of caffeine is C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 .
Examples
Understanding chemical formulas is crucial in various fields. For example, in pharmacology, knowing the precise chemical structure of a drug like caffeine helps scientists understand how it interacts with the body. In environmental science, chemical formulas are used to identify pollutants and their sources. In materials science, understanding the composition of different materials helps engineers design new and improved products. This knowledge is fundamental for innovation and problem-solving in many scientific and technological domains.
The chemical formula of caffeine, based on its atomic composition, is C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 . This formula accounts for 8 carbon atoms, 10 hydrogen atoms, 4 nitrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. The correct answer from the options is thus C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 .
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