Analysis of a salt results in the following composition: 3.47 g of Sodium; 2.12 g of Nitrogen; and 7.27 g of Oxygen. What is the simplest formula for this salt

NaNO₃

Explanation:

Data obtained from the question include:

Mass of sodium (Na) = 3.47 g

Mass of nitrogen (N) = 2.12 g

Mass of oxygen (O) = 7.27 g

Simplest (empirical) formula =?

The simplest formula for the salt can be obtained as follow:

Na = 3.47 g

N = 2.12 g

O = 7.27 g

Divide by their molar mass

Na = 3.47 / 23 = 0.151

N = 2.12 / 14 = 0.151

O = 7.27 / 16 = 0.454

Divide by the smallest

Na = 0.151 / 0.151 = 1

N = 0.151 / 0.151 = 1

O = 0.454 / 0.151 = 3

Simplest formula = NaNO₃

Thus, the simplest formula for the salt is NaNO₃