Question

write the chemical formula for this molecule:

Explanation:

Step1: Count Carbon atoms

Looking at the structure, there are 3 Carbon (C) atoms.

Step2: Count Hydrogen atoms

For the first C: 3 H (attached as single bonds) + 1 H (from the left bond) = 4? Wait, no, let's count each H: First C (leftmost) has 3 H (vertical and left), second C (middle) has 1 H (top), third C (rightmost) has 3 H (vertical and right). Wait, let's list all H: Left C: H (left), H (top), H (bottom) → 3? Wait no, the structure is:

Left C: bonded to H (left), H (top), H (bottom), and middle C. So that's 3 H? Wait no, the left C has a single bond to H (left), single bond to H (top), single bond to H (bottom), and single bond to middle C. So that's 3 H? Wait no, the middle C: bonded to left C, double bond to O (top), single bond to O (right, connecting to right C), and single bond to H (top? Wait no, the middle C: top is double bond O, left is single bond to left C, right is single bond to O (connecting to right C), and bottom? Wait the left C: H (left), H (top), H (bottom), and middle C. So left C has 3 H? Wait no, the left C: the bonds are H (left), H (top), H (bottom), and C (middle). So that's 3 H? Wait the middle C: bonds are C (left), O (double top), O (single right), and is there a H? Wait the diagram: left C has H (left), H (top), H (bottom), and C (middle). Middle C has C (left), O (double top), O (single right), and no H? Wait no, the middle C: the bonds are H (top)? Wait no, the diagram shows:

Top: H (above left C), O (double above middle C), H (above right C)

Middle: H (left of left C) — C — C (middle) — O — C (right) — H (right of right C)

Bottom: H (below left C), H (below right C)

Wait let's count each atom:

Carbon (C): 3 (left, middle, right)

Oxygen (O): 2 (double bonded to middle C, single bonded between middle and right C)

Hydrogen (H): Let's count each H:

- Left C: H (left), H (top), H (bottom) → 3

- Middle C: H? Wait no, middle C has bonds: left (C), top (double O), right (O), and is there a H? Wait the diagram: left C has H (left), H (top), H (bottom); middle C has O (double top), C (left), O (right); right C has H (top), H (bottom), H (right). Wait also, the left C is bonded to middle C, middle C to right C via O. Wait maybe I miscounted. Let's list all H:

- Left C: H (left), H (top), H (bottom) → 3

- Right C: H (top), H (bottom), H (right) → 3

- Also, is there a H on middle C? Wait no, the middle C has a double bond to O (top) and single bonds to left C and right O. So no H on middle C. Wait but wait, the left C: when bonded to middle C, the left C has 3 H (left, top, bottom) and 1 bond to middle C (so total 4 bonds, which is correct for C). Middle C: double bond to O (2 bonds), single bond to left C (1 bond), single bond to O (1 bond) → total 4 bonds (correct). Right C: bonded to O (left), H (top), H (bottom), H (right) → 4 bonds (correct). Now count H: left C has 3, right C has 3, and also, wait the left C's top H, middle C's top is O, right C's top H. Wait no, maybe I missed a H. Wait the left C: H (left), H (top), H (bottom) → 3. Right C: H (top), H (bottom), H (right) → 3. Also, is there a H on the middle C? No. Wait but wait, the formula for this molecule: let's check the structure again. The molecule is ethyl acetate? Wait no, the structure is:

Left C: CH3 (3 H), middle C: C=O (carbonyl) and O connected to right C, right C: CH3 (3 H). Wait so total C: 3, O: 2, H: 3 (left) + 3 (right) = 6? Wait no, wait the left C is CH3 (3 H), middle C is C=O (no H), and the O between middle and right C, right C is CH3 (3 H). Wait but also, the middle C is bonded to left C (CH3) and has a carbonyl (C=O) and an ether bond (O) to right C (CH3). Wait so the formula would be C3H6O2? Wait let's count again:

C: 3 (left, middle, right)

O: 2 (carbonyl O, ether O)

H: left C: 3 (CH3), right C: 3 (CH3), middle C: 0. So total H: 6. So formula is C3H6O2? Wait no, wait maybe I made a mistake. Wait the left C: H (left), H (top), H (bottom) → 3. Right C: H (top), H (bottom), H (right) → 3. So total H: 6. C: 3, O: 2. So formula is C3H6O2. Wait but let's check the structure again. The left C is connected to H (left), H (top), H (bottom), and middle C. Middle C is connected to left C, double bond O (top), single bond O (right, connected to right C). Right C is connected to O (left), H (top), H (bottom), H (right). So yes, C: 3, H: 3 + 3 = 6, O: 2. So formula is C3H6O2. Wait but maybe it's methyl acetate? Wait no, methyl acetate is C3H6O2 (CH3COOCH3). Yes, that's the structure: CH3 (left C) - CO (middle C=O) - O - CH3 (right C). So the formula is C3H6O2.

Answer:

$\boldsymbol{C_3H_6O_2}$