The products of the thermal decomposition of ammonium trioxonitrate(v) are

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Chemistry - 2025 Subject: Chemistry

Question 1 Report

The products of the thermal decomposition of ammonium trioxonitrate(v) are

Answer Details

Ammonium trioxonitrate(V) is the IUPAC name for ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3. When heated gently (thermal decomposition), it breaks down as follows:

\[\text{NH}_4\text{NO}_3 \xrightarrow{\text{heat}} \text{N}_2\text{O} + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}\]

The products are dinitrogen monoxide (N2O, also known as nitrous oxide or laughing gas) and water (H2O).

To verify, check that the equation is balanced:

  • N: 2 on each side (1 from NH4+ and 1 from NO3- on the left; 2 in N2O on the right).
  • H: 4 on each side (4 in NH4+ on the left; 4 in 2H2O on the right).
  • O: 3 on each side (3 in NO3- on the left; 1 in N2O + 2 in 2H2O on the right).

The other options are incorrect: NO2 and H2O would not balance correctly with the given reactant; N2O and O2 would leave hydrogen unaccounted for; and NO3 is not a stable molecular product of thermal decomposition.

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