5.00 g of nitrogen is completely converted into an oxide of nitrogen - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 10 - 2002 - Paper 1

Next, calculate the moles of each element:

• Moles of nitrogen:

ext{Moles of N} = rac{5.00 ext{ g}}{14.01 ext{ g/mol}} \\ ext{Moles of N} ext{ (approx.)} = 0.357 ext{ mol}

• Moles of oxygen:

ext{Moles of O} = rac{14.3 ext{ g}}{16.00 ext{ g/mol}} \\ ext{Moles of O} ext{ (approx.)} = 0.894 ext{ mol}

Provide the simplest mole ratio by dividing by the smallest number of moles:

• For nitrogen:

rac{0.357 ext{ mol}}{0.357} = 1

• For oxygen:

rac{0.894 ext{ mol}}{0.357} ext{ (approx.)} = 2.5

This results in a ratio of 1:2.5, which can be simplified by multiplying by 2 to yield 2:5.

Based on the ratio of nitrogen to oxygen (2:5), the empirical formula of the oxide is:

N₂O₅.