What is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is an inorganic molecule that is made using two nitrogen elements and a single oxygen element. Nitrous oxide is one of the variable oxides associated with nitrogen. However, it does not come under NOₓ gases which are responsible for air pollution. This gas was initially discovered by a chemist named Joseph Priestley.
The Chemical Name and Formula of the Nitrous oxide
The chemical name for Nitrous oxide is called nitrogen (I) oxide or dinitrogen monoxide. The chemical formula for Nitrous oxide is N2O and this formula represents one atom of oxygen and two atoms of nitrogen. This is an unreactive gas and the oxidation state of the nitrogen is +1 in the nitrous oxide gas.
The Structure of Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide is a linear inorganic molecule. The pi-bond which is present within the molecule displays resonance. The comprehensive structure of the Nitrous oxide exhibits the bond length having 119 picometers N-O bonds and 113 picometer N-N bonds.
The Properties of Nitrous Oxide
The physical properties of nitrous oxide are as follows.
Nitrous oxide exists in the gaseous state.
It is colourless in nature.
It has a neutral molecule.
It tastes sweet and has a pleasant odour.
The molecular weight of Nitrous oxide is 44g/mol.
It is highly soluble in water.
Nitrous oxide is non-combustible in nature and its vapour is considerably denser than the air.
The Chemical Properties of Nitrous Oxide are as Follows.
Nitrous oxide is one of the gases that cause global warming.
Nitrous oxide decomposes violently when exposed to high temperatures.
Nitrous oxide in small amounts acts as the anaesthetic chemical used in minor surgeries.
It decomposes into oxygen and nitrogen at 873 K. This is why it supports combustion reaction in the presence of an oxygen source.
The oxidation state is +1 for nitrogen in the Nitrous oxide gas.
The Uses of Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide is used as a veterinarian and human anaesthetic chemical.
Nitrous oxide is used for making chemicals that are used in rocket fuels.
It is also used as the foaming agent.
It is used as an oxidiser and it is also utilised in dentistry.
Nitrous oxide is used in surgery as a form of anaesthetic and it is also used as a form of air spray repellent.
The Effects of Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide causes mental impairment and mutation by damaging the DNA.
It also causes oxygen deprivation and chronic exposure to nitrous oxide leads to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.
Nitrous oxide displays an anxiolytic effect.
It also shows the euphoric effects.
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Preparation of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is prepared by a heating rection. Ammonium nitrate is heated at a high temperature and nitrous oxide is formed as a product and water molecule as a byproduct. Ammonium nitrate is a thermally unstable molecule. Therefore, it gets decomposed at high temperatures.
\[NH_{4}NO_{3} \rightarrow N_{2}O + 2H_{2}O\]
Nitrogen combines with oxygen under different conditions to form a number of binary oxides which differ with respect to the oxidation state of the nitrogen atom. They range from nitrous oxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +1) through nitric oxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +2), nitrogen trioxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +3), nitrogen tetraoxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +4) to nitrogen pentaoxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +5). The nitrogen oxide formula represents the number of nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms in a molecule.
Nitrogen Oxide Formula
FAQs on Nitrous Oxide
1. Write the properties of nitrous oxide.
The properties of nitrous oxide are given below:
Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas with a pleasant odour.
It is sweetish in taste and exists in the gaseous state.
It is a neutral molecule.
2. What are the uses of nitrous oxide?
The uses of nitrous oxide are given below:
It is used in making chemicals for rocket fuels.
It acts as an anesthetic chemical for human and veterinary purposes.
Nitrous oxide is used as a foaming agent and propellant in air sprays.
3. What are some facts associated with Nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide is also called the laughing gas and it is the naturally occurring agent. Nitrous oxide is utilised in the food industry, and it is used for childbirth as it can be utilised at any point of labour. Nitrous oxide is also used in the food industry and when you inhale it leads to sleeplessness. Nitrogen oxide is emitted when the oil and coal burn in power stations as well as automobile engines.
4. How is Nitrous oxide prepared?
The Nitrous oxide is prepared using the heating reaction. The Ammonium nitrate is heated at higher temperatures, and then nitrous oxide gets formed as the product and water molecule as a byproduct. Ammonium nitrate is a thermally unstable molecule and hence it gets decomposed at potentially high temperatures. The nitrogen combines with the oxygen under various conditions for forming a number of binary oxides that differ in context to the oxidation state of the nitrogen atom.
5. What are the different properties of Nitrous oxide?
The different properties of Nitrous oxide are as follows. Nitrous oxide has a colourless nature and it exists in a gaseous state. It is a neutral molecule with a pleasant odour. It has a sweet taste and the molecular weight of Nitrous oxide is around 44g/mol. Nitrous oxide is non-combustible in nature and is highly soluble in water. Nitrous oxide contributes to global warming and decomposes at high temperatures.
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