Question

results from the elemental analysis of compound q indicate that this compound contains 50.7 % carbon, 7.1 % hydrogen and 19.7 % nitrogen. determine the empirical formula of compound q.

Answer 1

To find the empirical formula of compound Q with a given composition of 50.7% carbon, 7.1% hydrogen, and 19.7% nitrogen, we convert the percentages to grams, then to moles, and find the simplest whole number ratio, which results in the empirical formula C3H5N.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the empirical formula of compound Q, which contains 50.7% carbon, 7.1% hydrogen, and 19.7% nitrogen, we start by assuming we have a 100 g sample of the compound. This makes calculations simple as the percentages can be directly converted to grams.

• Carbon (C): 50.7 g
• Hydrogen (H): 7.1 g
• Nitrogen (N): 19.7 g

Next, we convert these masses to moles by using the atomic masses of carbon (12.01 g/mol), hydrogen (1.008 g/mol), and nitrogen (14.01 g/mol).

• Carbon: 50.7 g / 12.01 g/mol = 4.22 mol
• Hydrogen: 7.1 g / 1.008 g/mol = 7.04 mol
• Nitrogen: 19.7 g / 14.01 g/mol = 1.41 mol

These molar amounts are then divided by the smallest among them to find the simplest whole-number ratio:

• Carbon: 4.22 mol / 1.41 mol = 3
• Hygen: 7.04 mol / 1.41 mol = 5
• Nitrogen: 1.41 mol / 1.41 mol = 1

The empirical formula for compound Q is therefore C3H5N.