To solve for the number of atoms of each element in 4 molecules of sodium phosphate ([tex]$Na_3PO_4$[/tex]), we can break down the problem step-by-step:
1. Identify the number of atoms in one molecule of [tex]$Na_3PO_4$[/tex]:
- Sodium ([tex]$Na$[/tex]): 3 atoms
- Phosphorus ([tex]$P$[/tex]): 1 atom
- Oxygen ([tex]$O$[/tex]): 4 atoms
2. Multiply each atom count by the number of molecules (4 molecules of [tex]$Na_3PO_4$[/tex]):
- Sodium:
[tex]\[
3 \text{ Sodium atoms per molecule} \times 4 \text{ molecules} = 12 \text{ Sodium atoms}
\][/tex]
- Phosphorus:
[tex]\[
1 \text{ Phosphorus atom per molecule} \times 4 \text{ molecules} = 4 \text{ Phosphorus atoms}
\][/tex]
- Oxygen:
[tex]\[
4 \text{ Oxygen atoms per molecule} \times 4 \text{ molecules} = 16 \text{ Oxygen atoms}
\][/tex]
So, in 4 molecules of sodium phosphate ([tex]$Na_3PO_4$[/tex]):
- There are 12 Sodium atoms.
- There are 4 Phosphorus atoms.
- There are 16 Oxygen atoms.
Hence, the correct answer is:
12 sodium, 4 phosphorus, 16 oxygen.
