To determine the formula of the oxide of nitrogen, we need to find the ratio of nitrogen to oxygen atoms in the compound.
Given: Percentage of nitrogen = 30.5% Molecular mass of the oxide = 92 g/mol
Step 1: Calculate the mass of nitrogen in the compound. Let's assume we have 100 grams of the oxide. Since the percentage of nitrogen is 30.5%, the mass of nitrogen in 100 grams of the compound is: Mass of nitrogen = 30.5 grams.
Step 2: Calculate the number of moles of nitrogen. Moles of nitrogen = Mass of nitrogen / Molar mass of nitrogen Molar mass of nitrogen (N) = 14 g/mol (approximate atomic mass) Moles of nitrogen = 30.5 grams / 14 g/mol ≈ 2.18 moles
Step 3: Determine the number of moles of oxygen. Since the molecular mass of the oxide is 92 g/mol, and we know the number of moles of nitrogen is 2.18, we can subtract the moles of nitrogen from the total moles to find the moles of oxygen. Moles of oxygen = Total moles - Moles of nitrogen Moles of oxygen = 92 g/mol - 2.18 moles ≈ 89.82 moles
Step 4: Simplify the ratio of nitrogen to oxygen. To simplify the ratio of nitrogen to oxygen, we divide both moles of nitrogen and oxygen by the smallest value (2.18 in this case). Moles of nitrogen (rounded) = 2.18 / 2.18 ≈ 1 Moles of oxygen (rounded) = 89.82 / 2.18 ≈ 41
Step 5: Determine the formula. Based on the simplified ratio, the formula of the oxide of nitrogen is N1O41. Simplifying the subscripts, the formula becomes NO41.
Therefore, the formula of the oxide of nitrogen is NO41.