Calculate which of the following — calcium nitrate or ammonium sulphate has a higher % of nitrogen. [Ca = 40, , O = 16, S = 32, N = 14]

Molecular weight of calcium nitrate Ca[NO₃]₂ = 40 + 2[(14 + 3(16))] = 40 + 2[14 + 48] = 164 g

164 g of calcium nitrate contains 28 g of nitrogen

∴ 100 g of calcium nitrate contains $\dfrac{28}{164}$ x 100 = 17.07% of nitrogen

Percentage by weight of nitrogen in calcium nitrate is 17.07%

Molecular weight of ammonium sulphate [NH₄]₂SO₄ = 2[14 + 4(1)] + 32 + 4(16) = 36 + 32 + 64 = 132

132 g of ammonium sulphate contains 28 g of nitrogen

∴ 100 g of ammonium sulphate contains $\dfrac{28}{132}$ x 100 = 21.21% of nitrogen

Percentage by weight of nitrogen in ammonium sulphate is 21.21 %

Hence, ammonium sulphate has higher concentration of nitrogen than calcium nitrate.