empirical formula problems?

Question

a blue solid is found to contain 36.84% nitrogen and 63.16% oxygen. what is the empirical formula of this compound?

is the answer NO2 or NO
because im not sure whether to round up or down

Answer 1

This doesn't seem likely unless the temperature is -150 deg C. Both compounds are gases. Anywho.... assume there is 100 g of whatever and divide the nitrogen percentage by 28 (the mol wt of N2 dimer) and the oxygen percentage by 32 (the mol wt of O2 dimer). Then see if the mole ratio found is closest to 1:1 or 1:2.