Glucose, a form of sugar, has the formula C₆H₁₂O₆. Which elements are included in this compound, and how many atoms of each are present?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula of glucose: C₆H₁₂O₆.
2. Recognize the elements present in the formula: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O).
3. Determine the number of carbon atoms by looking at the subscript next to C, which is 6.
4. Determine the number of hydrogen atoms by looking at the subscript next to H, which is 12.
5. Determine the number of oxygen atoms by looking at the subscript next to O, which is 6.

Key Concepts

Chemical Formula

A chemical formula represents the composition of a compound using symbols for each element and subscripts to indicate the number of atoms. In the case of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), the formula shows that it contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms, with specific quantities of each.

Elemental Composition

Elemental composition refers to the types and amounts of elements that make up a compound. For glucose, the elemental composition includes 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms, which are essential for understanding its structure and properties.

Molecular Structure

Molecular structure describes how atoms are arranged within a molecule and how they are bonded together. In glucose, the arrangement of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms contributes to its function as a primary energy source in biological systems, highlighting the importance of understanding molecular structure in chemistry.