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Which of the following common molecules found in interstellar space contains nitrogen atoms but no oxygen?

A) water vapor (H2O)
B) formaldehyde (H2CO)
C) methane (CH4)
D) ammonia (NH3)

User Ryanc
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Final answer:

D) ammonia (NH3). The molecule that contains nitrogen but no oxygen, as found in interstellar space, is ammonia (NH3), which is known for its presence in cleaning products and its pyramidal structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecule found in interstellar space that contains nitrogen atoms but no oxygen among the options provided is ammonia (NH3). This molecule is known for its presence in strong home cleaning products and has been identified within the dark regions of space where chemical reactions allow the formation of complex compounds.

Ammonia has a pyramidal structure, with the three hydrogen atoms forming the base and the nitrogen atom at the vertex. Unlike some of the other molecules listed, such as water (H2O) and formaldehyde (H2CO), ammonia does not contain oxygen atoms and is indeed composed of nitrogen and hydrogen.

User Molnarg
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