Nitrogen combines with oxygen to form several different compounds: N2O, NO, NO2, and N2O5. Determine the gram equivalent weight of nitrogen in each compound. Show how these compounds illustrate the Law of Multiple Proportions.

Equivalent weight of NO =

30/1 = 30

Equivalent weight of NO2 =

46/1=46

Equivalent weight of N2O5 =

108/2 = 54

Explanation:

To find gram equivalent weight, use the formula Eq = MW / n

Eq = Equivalent weight

MW = Atomic or molecular weight in grams/mole, from periodic table

n = number of equivalents.

First get the molar weight of each compound.

MW of N2O = (2*14) + 16 = 42

MW of NO = 14 + 16 = 30

MW of NO2 = 14 + (16*2) = 46

MW of N2O5 = (2*14) + (16*5) = 108

Equivalent weight of N2O =

42/2 = 21

Equivalent weight of NO =

30/1 = 30

Equivalent weight of NO2 =

46/1=46

Equivalent weight of N2O5 =

108/2 = 54

Law of multiple proportion has it that when two elements combine in more than one proportion to form two or more compounds the weights of one element that combine with a given weight of the other element are in the ratios of small whole numbers.

The ratio of the masses of oxygen that combined with the fixed mass of nitrogen in N2O, NO, NO2 and N2O5 shows a whole number ratio.