first we have to find the empirical formula of the compound
empirical formula is the simplest ratio of whole numbers of components making up a compound
for 100 g of the compound
N O
mass 46.7 g 53.3 g
number of 46.7 g/ 14 g/mol 53.3 g/ 16 g/mol
moles = 3.34 mol = 3.33 mol
divide by the least number of moles
3.34/3.33 = 1.00 3.33/ 3,33 = 1.00
therefore number of atoms are
N - 1
O - 1
empirical formula is - NO
mass of empirical unit - 14 g/mol + 16 g/mol = 30 g
molecular formula is actual composition of elements in the compound
molecular mass - 60.01 g/mol
number of empirical units = molecular mass / empirical unit mass
= 60.01 g/mol / 30 g = 2
there are 2 empirical units
2(NO)
molecular formula = N₂O₂