Question

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.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze each option

• For option A: The chemical formula of caffeine is \( C_8H_{10}N_4O_2 \), so the number of carbon atoms is 8, not 16. So A is wrong.
• For option B: The number of oxygen atoms is 2 and the number of hydrogen atoms is 10. Since \( 2<10 \), there are fewer oxygen atoms than hydrogen atoms. So B is wrong.
• For option C: From the formula \( C_8H_{10}N_4O_2 \), the ratio of \( C:H:N:O \) is \( 8:10:4:2 \), simplifying by dividing each by 2, we get \( 4:5:2:1 \), not \( 4:3:2:1 \). So C is wrong.
• For option D: The number of nitrogen atoms is 4 and the number of oxygen atoms is 2. Since \( 4 > 2 \), there are more nitrogen atoms than oxygen atoms. So D is correct.

Answer:

D. There are more nitrogen atoms than oxygen atoms.