The composition of a compound is 6.27 g calcium and 1.46 g nitrogen. Calculate the empirical formula.

Ca₃N₂

Explanation:

The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio between moles of each element present in a molecule.

Thus, we need to convert mass of each atom to moles and find the ratio between these as follows:

Moles N:

1.46g * (1mol / 14.0067g) = 0.104moles

Moles Ca:

6.27g * (1mol / 40.078g) = 0.156moles

The ratio between Moles N and moles of Ca is:

0.156moles / 0.104 moles = 1.5

That means there are 1.5 moles of Ca per mole of N. As empirical formula must be given in whole numbers:

There are 3 moles of Ca per 2 moles of N.

Empirical formula is: