A chemist analyzes a volatile organic compound composed solely of carbon
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Amount of substance · Amount of substance
Problem
A chemist analyzes a volatile organic compound composed solely of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Elemental combustion analysis gives the following mass-percent data for the compound:
• Carbon: 55.8 %
• Hydrogen: 11.6 %
• Nitrogen: (value not measured)
Assume the compound is pure and that the analysis is accurate.
(1) Determine the mass percent of nitrogen in the compound.
(2) Using the mass-percent composition, calculate the empirical formula of the compound. Show all reasoning, including any intermediate mole ratios.
(3) Describe, in words, why the empirical formula you obtained is consistent with the law of definite proportions.