Question

Ammonium nitrate on heating gives __________.
A.Nitric oxide
B.Nitrogen
C.Nitrogen peroxide
D.Nitrous oxide

Answer 1

Hint:When ammonium nitrate compound is heated, it leads to decomposition.Product formed is temperature dependent.

Complete step by step answer:
 Heating of ammonium nitrate leads to the production of nitrous oxide and water molecules.
. Thus, when ammonium nitrate, $\text{N}{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}\text{N}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}$ is heated it gives nitrous oxide, ${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ and water, ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$.
$$\text{N}{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}\text{N}{\text{O}}_{\text{3(aq)}}\to {\text{N}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{(g)}}\text{ + 2}{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{(l)}}$$
The above equation is a balanced chemical reaction for decomposition of ammonium nitrate when heated. 1 mole of ammonium nitrate decomposes to form 1 mole of nitrous oxide and 2 moles of water molecule. The salt does not leave any residue on heating.

So, the correct option is D.

Additional Information:
Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas. It is used in dentistry to reduce the pain during surgery. It is also a food additive when used as a propellant for whipped cream, and is used in the automotive industry to enhance engine performance. It is also increasingly being used to treat people withdrawing from alcohol dependence. Nitrous oxide is classified as a dissociative anaesthetic and has been found to produce dissociation of the mind from the body (a sense of floating), distorted perceptions and in rare cases, visual hallucinations.

Note:
Chemical formula for given options to avoid confusion:
Nitric oxide - $\text{NO}$
Nitrogen -${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}$
Nitrogen peroxide -${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}$
Nitrous oxide -${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$
At higher temperatures, the following reaction predominates.
$$\text{2N}{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}\text{N}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\to \text{2}{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}\text{ + }{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}\text{ + 4}{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$$
When ammonium nitrate, $\text{N}{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}\text{N}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}$ is heated at higher temperature it gives nitrogen, $${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}$$, oxygen, $${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$$ and water, ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$.