To determine the correct way to write the chemical formula for calcium carbonate, we need to consider the number of each type of atom present in one molecule of the compound.
The question states that one molecule of calcium carbonate contains:
- One atom of calcium (Ca)
- One atom of carbon (C)
- Three atoms of oxygen (O)
Using this information, we can evaluate the given answer choices:
A. [tex]\(3 CaCO\)[/tex]
- This implies three calcium atoms, one carbon atom, and one oxygen atom.
- This formula is not correct because it does not match the specified quantities of atoms.
B. [tex]\(Ca_3 CO\)[/tex]
- This implies three calcium atoms, one carbon atom, and one oxygen atom.
- This formula is not correct because it does not match the specified quantities of atoms.
C. [tex]\(CaCO_3\)[/tex]
- This formula consists of one calcium atom, one carbon atom, and three oxygen atoms.
- This matches exactly with the given information.
D. [tex]\(Ca_3 C_3 O_3\)[/tex]
- This implies three calcium atoms, three carbon atoms, and three oxygen atoms.
- This formula is not correct because it does not match the specified quantities of atoms.
Thus, the correct way to write the chemical formula for calcium carbonate is:
[tex]\[ \text{c. } CaCO_3 \][/tex]
So the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{3} \][/tex]
