Answer:
Empirical formula is [tex]C_2H_7N[/tex] and it is Ethylamine.
Explanation:
Given that,
A substance consists of 53.5% C, 15.5% H, and 31.19% N by weight. We need to find the empirical formula of a substance.
The atomic masses of each component are as follows :
Carbon, C = 12.011 g/mol
Hydrogen, H = 1.00794 g/mol
Nitrogen, N = 14.01 g/mol
Percentage of carbon, [tex]C=\dfrac{53.5}{12.011 }=4.45\ mol[/tex]
Percentage of hydrogen, [tex]H=\dfrac{15.5}{1.00794 }=15.37\ mol[/tex]
Percentage of nitrogen, [tex]N=\dfrac{31.19}{14.01 }=2.22\ mol[/tex]
To get the empirical formula of the substance, we divide each element by the lowest number of moles i.e. 2.22 mole
[tex]C=\dfrac{4.45}{2.22}=2[/tex]
[tex]H=\dfrac{15.37}{2.22}=6.923\approx 7[/tex]
[tex]N=\dfrac{2.22}{2.22}=1[/tex]
So, there are 2 molecules of carbon, 7 molecules of hydrogen and 1 molecule of nitrogen. Hence, the empirical formula of a substance is [tex]C_2H_7N[/tex] and it is Ethylamine. Hence, this is the required solution.
