Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question is asking for the carbon atom count in the specific carbohydrate ring found within the structure of an RNA molecule.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA). They consist of three components: a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a pentose sugar.
The prefix "pentose" specifically dictates that the sugar molecule contains exactly 5 carbon atoms.
In Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), the specific pentose sugar is $\beta$-D-ribose ($C_5H_{10}O_5$).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Since ribose is a pentose sugar, it has 5 carbon atoms. Option (b) is the correct answer.