How many calcium atoms are present per formula unit in Ca3(PO4)2?

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Multiple Choice

How many calcium atoms are present per formula unit in Ca3(PO4)2?

Explanation:
Counting atoms in a formula unit means looking at the subscripts after each element symbol. In Ca3(PO4)2, the calcium part is Ca3, so there are three calcium atoms in each formula unit. The rest of the formula shows phosphate groups (PO4)2, which contributes phosphorus and oxygen but does not change the number of calcium atoms. So the number of calcium atoms per formula unit is three. If there were a coefficient in front of the formula, you would multiply all subscripts by that coefficient, but here there is no multiplier.

Counting atoms in a formula unit means looking at the subscripts after each element symbol. In Ca3(PO4)2, the calcium part is Ca3, so there are three calcium atoms in each formula unit. The rest of the formula shows phosphate groups (PO4)2, which contributes phosphorus and oxygen but does not change the number of calcium atoms. So the number of calcium atoms per formula unit is three. If there were a coefficient in front of the formula, you would multiply all subscripts by that coefficient, but here there is no multiplier.

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