Derive the formula of titanium nitride if it is known that the mass fraction of titanium is 77.4%

Derive the formula of titanium nitride if it is known that the mass fraction of titanium is 77.4%, and the mass fraction of nitrogen is 22.6%.

According to the condition, the mass ratio of elements in titanium nitride:

w (Ti): w (N) = 77.4: 22.6

Taking into account the atomic weights of the elements, let’s move on to the quantitative ratio:

n (Ti): n (N) = w (Ti) / M (Ti): w (N) / M (N) = 77.4 / 48: 22.6 / 14 = 1.61: 1.61 = 1: 1.

Thus, in titanium nitride, there is 1 N atom per Ti atom.

Hence its formula: TiN.