An oxide of nitrogen is found to contain nitrogen and oxygen combined together in the ratio of 7: 16 by mass. Derive the formula of the oxide and name it.

It is given that nitrogen and oxygen are combined together in the ratio of 7:16 by mass.

Mass of nitrogen = 14u


Mass of oxygen = 16u and mass of O2 = 16× 2 = 32u


Hence, we can write 14:32 which is equal to 7:16


Therefore, the formula of the oxide is NO2 and its name is nitrous dioxide.


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