Question 20A hydride of nitrogen contains 87.5% percent by mass of nitrogen. Determine the empirical formula of this compound.

Question

Accepted Answer

Element% compositionAt. wt.Relative no. of atomsSimplest ratioNitrogen87.51487.514\dfrac{87.5 }{14}1487.5​ = 6.256.256.25\dfrac{6.25}{6.25 }6.256.25​ = 1Hydrogen12.5112.51\dfrac{12.5}{1}112.5​ = 12.512.56.25\dfrac{12.5}{6.25 }6.2512.5​ = 2Simplest ratio of whole numbers = N : H = 1 : 2Hence, empirical formula is NH2

Element	% composition	At. wt.	Relative no. of atoms	Simplest ratio
Nitrogen	87.5	14	$\dfrac{87.5 }{14}$ = 6.25	$\dfrac{6.25}{6.25 }$ = 1
Hydrogen	12.5	1	$\dfrac{12.5}{1}$ = 12.5	$\dfrac{12.5}{6.25 }$ = 2

Mole Concept and Stoichiometry — Question 22

Question 20