What is the empirical formula for the compound that is made of 1.85 moles of nitrogen and 4.63 moles of oxygen?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 20, 2016

Normalize the formula by dividing thru by the LOWEST molar quantity. We get N_2O_5 finally.

Explanation:

"Relative number of moles of nitrogen:" = (1.85*mol)/(1.85*mol)=1.

"Relative number of moles of oxygen:" = (4.63*mol)/(1.85*mol)=2.5.

Because, BY DEFINITION, "the empiricial formula is the simplest" "whole number ratio that defines constituent atoms in a species," we double this ratio to get N_2O_5. Capisce?

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