A compound consists of molecules containing 2 nitrogen atoms and 4 oxygen atoms. What are the molecular and empirical formulas of this compound?

• A. Molecular formula: N2O4; Empirical formula: N2O4
• B. Molecular formula: NO2; Empirical formula: N2O4
• C. Molecular formula: N2O4; Empirical formula: NO2
• D. Molecular formula: NO2; Empirical formula: NO

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the number of atoms of each element in the molecule. Here, the molecule contains 2 nitrogen (N) atoms and 4 oxygen (O) atoms, so the molecular formula is \(\mathrm{N_2O_4}\).
2. To find the empirical formula, determine the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in the compound. Divide the number of atoms of each element by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
3. Calculate the GCD of 2 (nitrogen atoms) and 4 (oxygen atoms), which is 2.
4. Divide the number of nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms by 2: \(\frac{2}{2} = 1\) for nitrogen and \(\frac{4}{2} = 2\) for oxygen.
5. Write the empirical formula using these simplified ratios: \(\mathrm{NO_2}\). Thus, the molecular formula is \(\mathrm{N_2O_4}\) and the empirical formula is \(\mathrm{NO_2}\).