A compound of nitrogen and hydrogen is 87.4% nitrogen by mass. Its empirical formula is:
- NH
- NH2
- NH3
- N2H
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: B. NH2
1. Take 100 g: 87.4 g nitrogen and $100-87.4=12.6$ g hydrogen.
2. Divide by relative atomic masses: nitrogen $\dfrac{87.4}{14}=6.243$, hydrogen $\dfrac{12.6}{1}=12.6$.
3. Divide both by the smaller: nitrogen $1$, hydrogen $\dfrac{12.6}{6.243}=2.02$.
4. The simplest whole-number ratio is therefore $1:2$.
5. The empirical formula is NH₂. Forgetting to subtract from 100 to get the hydrogen percentage is the usual first slip.
_Source: NECTA ACSEE 2023 Chemistry 132/1, Question 1: Gases_