Question

Find the atomicity of \[ZnS\]?
A. 4
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3

Answer 1

Hint: Atomicity is related to the number of atoms present in a given molecule or a compound and after counting the number, the atomicity can be simply calculated. This information could directly take to the answer.

Step by step explanation:
In this question atomicity of a particular molecule is asked and before proceeding directly to the answer first let us know about the atomicity and its examples which will automatically take to the answer.
So, atomicity of an element or a molecule is defined as the number of atoms that are constituted in that molecule. In simple words we can say the number of atoms that are present in the given compound or molecule is its atomicity.
For example: -\[{O_2},{\text{ }}{H_2}\]– These types of molecules have atomicity of 2 because there are two atoms present in the molecule.
So, on the basis of the number of atoms present in a compound or molecule, the atomicity is divided into different types like monoatomic, diatomic, triatomic, polyatomic.
As the name suggests, monatomic compounds will be those which contain only 1 atom. For example: - \[He,{\text{ }}Ne,{\text{ }}Ar.\]
Similarly, diatomics are those which contain 2 atoms. For example: - \[{O_2},{\text{ }}{H_2}\]
Triatomic Examples: - \[{O_3}\]
Polyatomic are those which contain more than 3 molecules. For example: - \[{P_4},{\text{ }}{S_8}.\]
So, this all clears the concept of atomicity and on the basis of this we can find out the atomicity of given molecule in the question i.e. \[ZnS\]
It has 2 different atoms containing Zinc and Sulphur so it’s atomicity is 2.

Hence, the correct option among the all is option C i.e. 2.

Additional Information: Few elements are there which does not have simple structure and they have large structure due to their catenation property like Silicon, Carbon so their atomicity is considered as 1. There are few important elements whose atomicity should be known like Nitrogen = 2, Fluorine = 2, Sodium =1, Oxygen =2.

Note: To answer these types of similar questions just go with the concept and also questions from topic like Valency could be possibly asked so valency of few elements must be well known to student and form valency only, we can find out the molecular formula of any general compound.