Answer:
BaN, Ba₃N₂
Explanation:
In order to determine the empirical formula of a compound, we have to follow a series of steps.
Step 1: Determine the percent composition
Step 2: Divide each percentage by the atomic mass of each element
Step 3: Divide all numbers by the smallest one
Step 4: If necessary, multiply by a number so the coefficients are whole
Compound 1
Step 1
Ba: 90.745%
N: 100% - 90.745% = 9.255%
Step 2
Ba: 90.745/137.33 = 0.66078
N: 9.255/14.01 = 0.6606
Step 3
Ba: 0.66078/0.6606 ≈ 1
N: 0.6606/0.6606 = 1
The empirical formula is BaN.
Compound 2
Step 1
Ba: 93.634%
N: 100% - 93.634% = 6.366%
Step 2
Ba: 93.634/137.33 = 0.68182
N: 6.366/14.01 = 0.4544
Step 3
Ba: 0.68182/0.4544 = 1.5
N: 0.4544/0.4544 = 1
Step 4
Ba: 1.5 × 2 = 3
N: 1 × 2 = 2
The empirical formula is Ba₃N₂.
