Samples of three different compounds were analyzed and the masses of each element were determined. Compound Mass N (g) Mass O (g) A 5.6 3.2 B 3.5 8.0 C 1.4 4.0 If you were John Dalton and had never heard of a mole, which of the following would you think were possible sets of formulas for the compounds A, B, and C, respectively?

Question

Samples of three different compounds were analyzed and the masses of each element were determined.  Compound 	Mass N (g) 	Mass O (g) A 	5.6 	3.2 B 	3.5 	8.0 C 	1.4 	4.0  If you were John Dalton and had never heard of a mole, which of the following would you think were possible sets of formulas for the compounds A, B, and C, respectively?

aaronq · Answer

N (g) 	        O (g) 
A 	    5.6            	3.2 
B 	    3.5            	8.0 
C     	    1.4            	4.0  

If you didnt know about moles you would assume that the formulas were based on mass

For A, O is: $\dfrac{3.2}{3.2}=1$;   N is: $\dfrac{5.6}{3.2}=1.75$

To get integers multiply by 4, so you have $N_7O_4$. 

Note: that this is the answer as the question asks for, but it is incorrect because were working with mass and NOT moles.

anonymous · Answer

my choices are 	 
        a NO2, NO8, NO10 
	b NO4, NO10, NO5 
	c N2O, N2O4, N2O5 
	d NO, NO2, NO4