Final answer:
The question involves determining the empirical formula for a nitrogen-oxygen compound with equal numbers of each atom. The compound N₂O, also known as nitrous oxide, has a 1:1 ratio of nitrogen to oxygen and the correct answer is option 5.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question deals with the empirical formulas of compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen, which relates to the concept of the Law of Multiple Proportions. Given that compound X has an equal number of nitrogen and oxygen atoms and we are trying to determine the formula for compound Y, we can apply the law to the compounds of nitrogen and oxygen mentioned: NO, NO₂, N₂O, N₂O₄, and N₂O₅.
When looking at these possible compounds, N₂O₅ is the one that stands out because it contains two atoms of nitrogen for every five atoms of oxygen. Given that the other compounds have different ratios of nitrogen to oxygen, and we're looking for a compound where the ratio is 1:1, N₂O₅ would not be a compound with an equal number of oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Instead, N₂O, also known as nitrous oxide and informally known as 'laughing gas', has a one-to-one ratio of nitrogen to oxygen and is the correct answer.
The most likely formula for compound Y, which has an equal number of oxygen and nitrogen atoms, is therefore N₂O.