Question

On photochemical decomposition of HNO₃ the products formed are

• A. $\mathrm{NO}\mathrm{and}\mathrm{O}$
• B. ${\mathrm{NO}}_2\mathrm{and}{\mathrm{O}}_2$
• C. ${\mathrm{N}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_4\mathrm{and}{\mathrm{NO}}_2$
• D. ${\mathrm{N}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_5\mathrm{and}{\mathrm{NO}}_2$

Answer 1

The correct option is B

${\mathrm{NO}}_2\mathrm{and}{\mathrm{O}}_2$

Definition and Photochemical reaction of HNO₃

• Photochemical decompositions are decompositions with the help of sunlight.

Explanation of correct option

• The photochemical decomposition of nitric acid $\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$ produces oxygen $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$, nitrogen dioxide $\left({\mathrm{NO}}_2\right)$ , and water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$
• The chemical reaction of the above equation can be represented as:
  $4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 4{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
• Therefore, during the photochemical decomposition of HNO₃ the products formed are${\mathrm{NO}}_2\mathrm{and}{\mathrm{O}}_2$

Hence option B is correct.