The molecular mass of Nitric acid (HNO₃) is 63 u. The atomic mass of hydrogen is 1u and that of oxygen is 16. Find the atomic mass of nitrogen.

Given

To find the atomic mass of nitrogen in nitric acid (HNO₃), we can use the following information:

• Molecular mass of HNO₃ = 63 u
• Atomic mass of hydrogen (H) = 1 u
• Atomic mass of oxygen (O) = 16 u

The formula for nitric acid is HNO₃, which consists of:

• 1 hydrogen atom (H)
• 1 nitrogen atom (N)
• 3 oxygen atoms (O)

Now, let's calculate the total mass of hydrogen and oxygen:

• Mass of hydrogen = 1 × 1 = 1 u
• Mass of oxygen = 3 × 16 = 48 u

So, the combined mass of hydrogen and oxygen is:

1 u + 48 u = 49 u

Now, subtract this from the total molecular mass of HNO₃ (63 u) to find the atomic mass of nitrogen:

63 u - 49 u = 14 u

Final Answer

Thus, the atomic mass of nitrogen is 14 u.