Chapter 18, Problem 23STP

To determine

To identify: The difference between nitrogen monoxide and dinitrogen pentoxide.

To explain: Prefixes are used in this situation.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Nitrogen monoxide and dinitrogen pentoxide are both oxides of nitrogen. Although both have nitrogen and oxygen but they have different oxidation number and number of atoms.

Nitrogen monoxide as the name indicates contains one atom of oxygen. Hence, its formula is NO.

Dinitrogen pentoxide as the name indicates contains 2 atoms of nitrogen and five oxygen atom. Therefore, its formula is ${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}$ .

The prefixes like mono, di, penta are used in the following situation:

If the first atom oxide contains only one atom, then there is no need to write mono in front of it. But if the first atom of oxide contains more than one atom, then it is denoted by di, tri, tetra according to the number of atoms present.

Conclusion:

Hence, the formula for nitrogen monoxide is NO and dinitrogen pentoxide is ${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}$ .