Final answer:
The compound with the greatest percentage of nitrogen among the options given is NH₃ (ammonia), with an nitrogen percentage of 82.35%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The percentage of nitrogen in a compound can be assessed by calculating the mass percentage of nitrogen within that compound. You can accomplish this by dividing the total mass of nitrogen atoms by the total molecular mass of the compound and then multiplying by 100%.
Let's calculate the percentage of nitrogen for each compound:
- NH₃: Molecular mass = 14 (N) + 3*1 (H) = 17. Percentage of N = (14/17) * 100% = 82.35%
- NO₂: Molecular mass = 14 (N) + 2*16 (O) = 46. Percentage of N = (14/46) * 100% = 30.43%
- N₂O₃: Molecular mass = 2*14 (N) + 3*16 (O) = 76. Percentage of N = (28/76) * 100% = 36.84%
- N₂O: Molecular mass = 2*14 (N) + 16 (O) = 44. Percentage of N = (28/44) * 100% = 63.64%
By comparing these percentages, we can see that NH₃ (ammonia) has the greatest percentage of nitrogen among the options provided. Therefore, the answer is (a) NH₃.