Question

Give one example for the thermal decomposition of a nitrate.

Answer 1

Thermal decomposition reaction:

The decomposition reactions, that is, breaking down into distinct products, take place in the presence of heat and are known as thermal decomposition reactions. The component molecules undergo decomposition to more than one product in the presence of heat.

Example of thermal decomposition of nitrate:

An example of thermal decomposition of nitrate is given below.

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{NH}}_4{\mathrm{NO}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+\mathrm{heat}\to {\mathrm{N}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ (\mathrm{Ammonium}\left(\mathrm{Nitrous}\mathrm{oxide}\right)\left(\mathrm{Water}\right) \\ \mathrm{nitrate}) \end{gathered}$$
Ammonium nitrate $\left({\mathrm{NH}}_4{\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)$ is the nitrate compound that undergoes thermal decomposition to give Nitrous oxide $\left({\mathrm{N}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$(laughing gas) and Water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$.