Question

Give the balanced equation for the action of heat on the following compound:

Copper (II) nitrate.

Answer 1

The action of heat on copper (II) nitrate ($\mathrm{Cu}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2$):

• On heating, copper (II) nitrate decomposes copper oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen.
• This is a decomposition reaction.

Decomposition reaction:

• When the molecules of one substance split into two or more simpler substances, the reaction is called a decomposition reaction.
• These reactions are brought about in the presence of an external agent such as heat, light, and electricity.

The balanced equation is:

$$\begin{gathered} 2\mathrm{Cu}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2\stackrel{∆}{\to }2\mathrm{CuO}+4{\mathrm{NO}}_2+{\mathrm{O}}_2 \\ \mathrm{Copper}\mathrm{Copper}\mathrm{Nitrogen}\mathrm{Oxygen} \\ \left(\mathrm{II}\right)\mathrm{nitrate}\mathrm{oxide}\mathrm{dioxide} \end{gathered}$$