Question

Laughing gas is obtained by heating:
A. $N{H_4}Cl$
B. ${(N{H_4})_2}S{O_4}$
C. $N{H_4}Cl + NaN{O_2}$
D. $N{H_4}N{O_3}$

Answer 1

Hint: Laughing gas is named so because of its euphoric effects upon inhaling it, a property that has led to its recreational use as a dissociative anaesthetic. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system.

Complete step by step answer:
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or nitrous, is a chemical compound, an oxide of nitrogen with the formula \[{N_2}O\] . At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a slight metallic scent and taste. At elevated temperatures, nitrous oxide is a powerful oxidizer similar to molecular oxygen. It is soluble in water. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system. It is also used as an oxidiser in rocket propellants, and in motor racing to increase the power output of engines.
The Nitrous oxide is prepared on an industrial scale by careful heating of ammonium nitrate at about\[{250^o}C\] , which decomposes into nitrous oxide and water vapor.
When ammonium nitrate is strongly heated, it releases nitrous oxide (Laughing gas) along with water vapor and the reaction is as follows:
$N{H_4}N{O_3} \to {N_2}O + 2{H_2}O$
Thus, the correct option is D. $N{H_4}N{O_3}$ .

Note:
Nitrous oxide has significant medical uses, especially in surgery and dentistry, for its anaesthetic and pain reducing effects. Its colloquial name "laughing gas", coined by Humphry Davy, is due to the euphoric effects upon inhaling it, a property that has led to its unique use as a dissociative anaesthetic.