Question

An unknown compound is processed using elemental analysis and found to contain 117.4g of platinum 28.91 carbon and 33.71g nitrogen how many moles of platinum are present

Answer 1

1 mole of platinum

Step-by-step explanation:

To obtain the number of mole(s) of platinum present, we need to determine the empirical formula for the compound.

The empirical formula for the compound can be obtained as follow:

Platinum (Pt) = 117.4 g

Carbon (C) = 28.91 g

Nitrogen (N) = 33.71 g

Divide by their molar mass

Pt = 117.4 / 195 = 0.602

C = 28.91 / 12 = 2.409

N = 33.71 / 14 = 2.408

Divide by the smallest

Pt = 0.602 / 0.602 = 1

C = 2.409 / 0.602 = 4

N = 2.408 / 0.602 = 4

The empirical formula for the compound is PtC₄N₄ => Pt(CN)₄

From the formula of the compound (i.e Pt(CN)₄), we can see clearly that the compound contains 1 mole of platinum.