Question

In the decomposition of lead \[(II)\] nitrate to give lead \[(II)\] oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen gas, the coefficient of nitrogen dioxide in the balanced equation is
\[(1)\] \[1\],
\[(2)\]\[2\],
\[(3)\] \[3\],
\[(4)\] \[4\].

Answer 1

Hint: A chemical equation is the symbolic representation of a chemical reaction. In a balanced chemical equation, the number of atoms of each element are the same on both sides of the reaction. Decomposition reactions are defined as those reactions in which a single reactant is degraded into two or more products.

Complete answer:
The chemical equation for the decomposition of lead \[(II)\]nitrate to give lead \[(II)\]oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen is given as follows:
\[Pb{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}\to PbO+N{{O}_{2}}+{{O}_{2}}\]
In order to get the balance chemical equation, we have to multiply \[PbO\]and \[Pb{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}\] by the factor of \[2\]and \[N{{O}_{2}}\]by the factor of \[4\]. Incorporating these factors into account, the above equation becomes
\[2Pb{{(N{{O}_{3}})}_{2}}\to 2PbO+4N{{O}_{2}}+{{O}_{2}}\]
From the above balanced chemical equation, we conclude that the coefficient of nitrogen dioxide in the decomposition of lead \[(II)\]nitrate is 4.

Additional information: In this decomposition reaction of lead \[(II)\]nitrate, we get a yellow colour solution with simultaneous evolution of brown colour gas. Yellow colour is due to the formation of \[PbO\]while brown colour gas occurs due to the formation of \[N{{O}_{2}}\] gas

Note:
It is important to note that the coefficient of nitrogen dioxide in the balanced decomposition equation is 4. Decomposition reactions are those in which a single reactant is degraded into two or more products. In the decomposition reaction of lead \[(II)\] nitrate, a yellow colour solution with simultaneous evolution of brown colour gas occurs.