What is the empirical formula of a compound that contains 10.52g Ni 4.38g C and 5.10gN?

Answer 1

As usual, go for the moles.

10.42 grams Ni (1 mole Ni/58.69 grams) = 0.1775 moles Ni

4.38 grams C ( 1 mole C/12.01 grams) = 0.36469 moles C

5.10 grams N (1 mole N/14.01 grams) = 0.36403 mole N

Now, the least mole value represents the whole number 1 and it divides the other numbers to get the whole numbers for the subscripts.

0.36469 mole C/0.1775 mole Ni = 2.05, call it 2

0.36403 mole N/0.1775 mole Ni = 2.05, also called 2

As you gave the species order ( though I am not sure of this )

NiC2N2