# Math Rules Chem

1. Dec 3, 2003

### PrudensOptimus

Math Rules Chem:)

$$NO_3$$

What is the molecular formula of this compound if molar mass is 324.06.

Math begins:

$$aN + bO = 324.06$$

$$N=14, O = 16$$

$$14a + 16b = 324.06$$

$$N = O/3, O = 3N, a = b/3, b = 3a$$

$$a = 162.03/32 =~ 5, b =~ 15.$$

$$N_{5}O_{15}$$

2. Dec 3, 2003

### BluE

If N=14 and and N=O/3, then 14=O/3 so O=14/3=4.66666... but you say O=16. I think I'm confused.

3. Dec 3, 2003

### PrudensOptimus

How old are you?

4. Dec 4, 2003

### sven222

Is there a point to this thread?

5. Dec 4, 2003

### BluE

What, did I say something wrong?

Oh. Now I see. 14 and 16 are the amu of them. I didn't look at it.

6. Dec 5, 2003

### ShawnD

Re: Math Rules Chem:)

Your work is wrong. The question has no answer. First it TELLS you the formula then it asks for a formula OF THE SAME COMPOUND but with a different mass.
Anybody who knows anything about chemistry will tell you that the same compound will have the same formula. You can't just multiply each of the subscripts by a common factor to get a new formula for "the same compound", it doesn't work like that. OH and H2O2 are NOT the same. They don't have the same name, properties, or even charge. Let's look at another formula; C3H8. If we multiply the subscripts by 2 we get C6H16. The problem is that C6H16 doesn't even exist; it has too many hydrogens.

You can't just multiply the subscripts by a common factor like that.

7. Dec 5, 2003

### FZ+

ShawnD: I think you need to look into the context of this particular question. The first line is the empirical formulae, which is essentially just the ratios of atoms in each molecule of the compound. The answer PO derived is correct.

Though IMHO, he dragged it out much more than he should have. The simplest way is just to calculate molar mass for the empirical formula, divide this from your given real mass, and multiple each subscript by the result of the above.

8. Dec 6, 2003

### PrudensOptimus

I should write a research paper on this :) Using real math to solve chemistry.

9. Dec 6, 2003

### Monique

Staff Emeritus
Too bad your math does not take into the equation the chemical relevancy of the answer.

As Shawn said, C3H8 exists, but C6H16 (everything times 2) does not.

10. Dec 6, 2003

### PrudensOptimus

I don't know what you are talking about because I'm still teaching myself chemistry... and probably some advance stuff u were mentioning.

Anyways, like every other thing, there was a pioneer. :) Be glad you replied to this thread today, because ....

11. Dec 6, 2003

### Monique

Staff Emeritus
There already is a formula for the kind of compound I mentioned (alkanes):

H = 2x C + 2

So it is C3H8 and C6H14.

12. Dec 14, 2003

### PrudensOptimus

What does that have to do with NO?

13. Dec 16, 2003

### Khartoum

they're just proving that you can't just have hydroxide and h2o2 equal in your equations