What is an empirical formula for a compound that is 82.2% nitrogen and 17.8% hydrogen

Percent to mass

Mass to mole

Divide by small

Multiply 'til whole

Assume 100 g of substance, then 82.2 g N and 17.8 g H.

82.2 g N * (1 mol/14.01 g N) = 5.86 mol N

17.8 g H * (1 mol/1.01 g H) = 17.6 mol H

Divide by the smallest mole

17.6 H / 17.6 = 1 H

5.86 N / 17.6 = 1/3 N

Multiply to make whole number (x3 in this case)

3 x 1 H = 3H

3 x 1/3 N = 1 N

NH3