To determine the number of atoms in a molecule, we need to analyze its chemical formula. In the case of C2H5OH (ethanol), let's break down the formula and count the atoms:
C2H5OH consists of:
- 2 carbon atoms (C2)
- 6 hydrogen atoms (H6)
- 1 oxygen atom (O1)
Adding up these numbers, we find that C2H5OH contains a total of 2 + 6 + 1 = 9 atoms.