a chemist is analyzing the composition of caffeine, which has the chemical formula c₈h₁₀n₄o₂. which…

a chemist is analyzing the composition of caffeine, which has the chemical formula c₈h₁₀n₄o₂. which statement correctly describes the atoms in one molecule of caffeine? a. there are 16 carbon atoms. b. there are more oxygen atoms than hydrogen atoms. c. the c:h:n:o ratio is 4:3:2:1 d. there are more nitrogen atoms than oxygen atoms.

a chemist is analyzing the composition of caffeine, which has the chemical formula c₈h₁₀n₄o₂. which statement correctly describes the atoms in one molecule of caffeine? a. there are 16 carbon atoms. b. there are more oxygen atoms than hydrogen atoms. c. the c:h:n:o ratio is 4:3:2:1 d. there are more nitrogen atoms than oxygen atoms.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

To solve this, we analyze the chemical formula of caffeine, ( C_8H_{10}N_4O_2 ):

  • Option A: The formula has 8 carbon atoms, not 16. So A is incorrect.
  • Option B: Oxygen atoms = 2, Hydrogen atoms = 10. ( 2 < 10 ), so there are not more oxygen than hydrogen. B is incorrect.
  • Option C: The ratio of ( C:H:N:O ) is ( 8:10:4:2 ), which simplifies to ( 4:5:2:1 ) (dividing by 2), not ( 4:3:2:1 ). Wait, wait, no—wait, let's re - check. Wait, the formula is ( C_8H_{10}N_4O_2 ). So ( C = 8 ), ( H = 10 ), ( N = 4 ), ( O = 2 ). Dividing each by 2: ( C:H:N:O = 4:5:2:1 ). Wait, maybe I misread the option. Wait, the option says ( 4:3:2:1 ) — no, that's wrong. Wait, no, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, no, let's check Option D: Nitrogen atoms = 4, Oxygen atoms = 2. ( 4>2 ), so there are more nitrogen than oxygen. So D is correct. Wait, but let's re - evaluate Option C. Wait, the option C says ( C:H:N:O ) ratio is ( 4:3:2:1 ). But from the formula, ( C = 8 ), ( H = 10 ), ( N = 4 ), ( O = 2 ). If we divide by 2, we get ( 4:5:2:1 ), not ( 4:3:2:1 ). So C is incorrect. Option D: Nitrogen (4) vs Oxygen (2) — 4 > 2, so there are more nitrogen atoms than oxygen atoms. So D is correct.

Answer:

D. There are more nitrogen atoms than oxygen atoms.