Question

\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{3}}\] and \[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{2}}\] on heating decomposes in to
(A) \[N{{O}_{2}}\], \[{{N}_{2}}\]
(B) \[N{{O}_{2}}\], \[N{{O}_{3}}\]
(C) \[{{N}_{2}}O\], \[{{N}_{2}}\]
(D) \[N{{O}_{3}}\], \[N{{O}_{2}}\]

Answer 1

Hint: Decomposition of ammonium derivatives liberates toxic gases like ammonia, nitrogen oxides and water vapor. Different ammonium derivatives liberate different combinations of gases.

Complete step by step answer:
* Decomposition of ammonium nitrate (\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{3}}\]) creates toxic gases like nitrogen oxides and water. The resulting nitrogen oxides will support combustion, even in the absence of oxygen.

\[\]\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{3}}\to {{N}_{2}}{{O}_{(g)}}\uparrow +2{{H}_{2}}O\]
* \[{{N}_{2}}O\] is called nitrous oxide or laughing gas.
* Decomposition of ammonium nitrite (\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{2}}\]) liberates nitrogen gas (\[{{N}_{2}}\]) and water vapor.
\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{2}}\to {{N}_{2}}_{(g)}\uparrow +2{{H}_{2}}O\]
* After decomposition ammonium nitrate (\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{3}}\]) liberates nitrous oxide (\[{{N}_{2}}O\]) and water.
* After decomposition ammonium nitrite (\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{2}}\]) liberates nitrogen gas (\[{{N}_{2}}\]) and water vapor.
* Ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrite salts both form water vapor after decomposition. But ammonium nitrate forms nitrous oxide and ammonium nitrite forms nitrogen gas after decomposition.
* Option A is wrong, because \[N{{O}_{2}}\] is not going to release after decomposition of the given compounds.
* Option B is wrong, because \[N{{O}_{2}}\] and \[N{{O}_{3}}\] are not going to release after decomposition of the given compounds.
* Option D is wrong, because \[N{{O}_{3}}\] and \[N{{O}_{2}}\] are not going to release after decomposition of the given compounds.
* Ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrite salts both form water vapor after decomposition.
So, the correct option is C.

Note: Don’t be confused with the oxides of nitrogen.
Ammonium nitrate (\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{3}}\])
Ammonium nitrite (\[N{{H}_{4}}N{{O}_{2}}\])
Nitrous Oxide (\[{{N}_{2}}O\])
Nitrogen Dioxide (\[N{{O}_{2}}\])