1. Identify the Elements:
* Cobalt (Co)
* Phosphorus (P)
* Oxygen (O)
2. Determine the Number of Atoms of Each Element:
* Cobalt (Co): There are 3 cobalt atoms (indicated by the subscript 3).
* Phosphorus (P): There are 2 phosphorus atoms (indicated by the subscript 2).
* Oxygen (O): There are 8 oxygen atoms (2 phosphorus atoms * 4 oxygen atoms per phosphate ion = 8 oxygen atoms).
3. Calculate the Total Number of Atoms:
* 3 cobalt atoms + 2 phosphorus atoms + 8 oxygen atoms = 13 atoms
Therefore, there are 13 atoms in one molecule of cobalt phosphate (Co3(PO4)2).