Question

Which of the following compounds of nitrogen and oxygen have identical empirical formulas: \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{NO}, \mathrm{NO}_{2}\), \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}, \mathrm{~N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}, \mathrm{~N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{5}\) ?

Short answer

The compounds N2O and NO have identical empirical formulas (NO), as well as NO2, N2O4 and N2O5 (NO2).

Step-by-step solution

Determine the empirical formulas

First, for each given compound, if necessary, divide the subscripts of nitrogen and oxygen by their greatest common divisors to get each compound's empirical formula. Doing this we get:1. N2O => NO2. NO => NO3. NO2 => NO24. N2O3 => NO1.55. N2O4 => NO26. N2O5 => NO2.5

Compare empirical formulas

Now compare the empirical formulas acquired in Step 1. There are three compounds that have the same empirical formula which is NO2. These are NO2, N2O4 and N2O5. In addition, the compounds N2O and NO have the same empirical formula that is NO.

Conclude

Therefore, the compounds with identical empirical formulas are N2O with NO and NO2 with N2O4 and N2O5

Key concepts

Chemical Compounds

Understanding chemical compounds is fundamental in chemistry. Compounds are substances composed of two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together. In the context of this exercise, we explore compounds of nitrogen and oxygen.
These combinations form unique compounds, each with distinctive properties depending on how many atoms of each element are present.
For example:

• **Dinitrogen monoxide ( \( \mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O} \))** consists of two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
• **Nitric oxide ( \( \mathrm{NO} \))** has one nitrogen and one oxygen atom.
• **Nitrogen dioxide ( \( \mathrm{NO}_{2} \))** comprises one nitrogen and two oxygen atoms.

The structure and composition of these compounds signify their empirical formulas, which reflect the simplest ratio of elements present in a compound.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the branch of chemistry involved with calculating the relative quantities of reactants and products in chemical reactions. It is not only essential for reactions but also for understanding empirical formulas.
Empirical formulas provide the simplest whole-number ratio between the elements in a compound.
For instance:

• In \( \mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O} \), the ratio is 2:1, but the empirical formula simplifies this to \( \mathrm{NO} \), indicating that every nitrogen atom pairs with an oxygen atom.
• For \( \mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4} \), this 2:4 ratio simplifies to \( \mathrm{NO}_{2} \).

This concept is crucial in identifying compounds with the same empirical formula, as it shows which compounds have similar elemental compositions and proportions at their simplest forms.

Nitrogen and Oxygen Compounds

Compounds formed from nitrogen and oxygen display a fascinating variety of possibilities due to their different ratios and combinations, resulting in distinct empirical formulas.
These compounds play significant roles in fields like environmental science, medicine, and industry.

• ** Nitrous oxide ** ( \( \mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O} \)): Also known as laughing gas, it's used in medical anesthesia and as a propellant in the food industry.
• **Nitric oxide** ( \( \mathrm{NO} \)): Plays a crucial role in the human body as a signaling molecule.
• **Nitrogen dioxide** ( \( \mathrm{NO}_{2} \)): A significant air pollutant resulting from fossil fuel combustion.

Recognizing the empirical formulas helps in understanding how these compounds may react or behave chemically, which is vital for various applications in enhancing human life and protecting the environment.