Chapter 22: Problem 47

Write a balanced equation for each of the following processes: (a) On heating, ammonium nitrate produces nitrous oxide. (b) On heating, potassium nitrate produces potassium nitrite and oxygen gas. (c) On heating, lead nitrate produces lead(II) oxide, nitrogen dioxide \(\left(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\right),\) and oxygen gas.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The balanced equations for the given processes are (a) \(NH_{4}NO_{3} \rightarrow N_{2}O + 2H_{2}O\), (b) \(2KNO_{3} \rightarrow 2KNO_{2} + O_{2}\), and (c) \(2Pb(NO_{3})_{2} \rightarrow 2PbO + 4NO_{2} + O_{2}\).

Step by step solution

Identify the reactants and products for reaction (a)

The reactant of this process is ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and the product is nitrous oxide (N2O). Writing out the unbalanced chemical equation for reaction (a): \(NH_{4}NO_{3} \rightarrow N_{2}O\).

Balance the chemical equation for reaction (a)

To balance the chemical equation, balance the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation. In this case, adding water (H2O) as a product and keeping a count of two molecules of nitrous oxide leads to a balanced equation. Hence, the balanced equation for reaction (a) is: \(NH_{4}NO_{3} \rightarrow N_{2}O + 2H_{2}O\).

Identify the reactants and products for reaction (b)

The reactant of this process is potassium nitrate (KNO3) and the products are potassium nitrite (KNO2) and oxygen gas (O2). Writing out the unbalanced chemical equation for reaction (b): \(KNO_{3} \rightarrow KNO_{2} + O_{2}\).

Balance the chemical equation for reaction (b)

Balancing the chemical equation means the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation should be equal. Therefore, the balanced equation for reaction (b) is simply: \(2KNO_{3} \rightarrow 2KNO_{2} + O_{2}\).

Identify the reactants and products for reaction (c)

For process (c), the reactant is lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) and the products are lead(II) oxide (PbO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and oxygen gas (O2). Write out the unbalanced chemical equation: \(Pb(NO_{3})_{2} \rightarrow PbO + NO_{2} + O_{2}\).

Balance the chemical equation for reaction (c)

Balancing this complex chemical equation involves ensuring the same number of atoms for each element are present on both sides of the equation. Therefore, the balanced equation for reaction (c) is: \(2Pb(NO_{3})_{2} \rightarrow 2PbO + 4NO_{2} + O_{2}\).

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Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify the reactants and products for reaction (a)

Balance the chemical equation for reaction (a)

Identify the reactants and products for reaction (b)

Balance the chemical equation for reaction (b)

Identify the reactants and products for reaction (c)

Balance the chemical equation for reaction (c)

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