Which one among the following nitrogen compounds has the least percentage of nitrogen by mass?

The correct answer is (NH₄)₃PO₄

CONCEPT:

• Percentage composition of a given compound is defined as the ratio of the amount of each element to the total amount of individual elements present in the compound multiplied by 100.

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​​EXPLANATION:

• Among the given compounds (NH₄)₃PO₄ or ammonium phosphate has the least percentage of nitrogen by mass.
• Percentage of nitrogen by mass in (NH4)3PO4(contains three Nitrogen atoms) = \(\frac{14\times 3}{149}\times 100= 28.17%\)%
• Percentage of nitrogen by mass in NH4OH = \(\frac{14}{35}\times100 = 40\)%
• Percentage of nitrogen by mass in NH₃  = \(\frac{14}{17}\times 100= 82.35%\)%
• Percentage of nitrogen by mass in NH₄NO₃ (contains two Nitrogen atoms) = \(\frac{14\times 2}{80}\times 100= 35\)%