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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