nitrous oxide (n₂o), also known as laughing gas, is used as an anesthetic. it decomposes at high…
nitrous oxide (n₂o), also known as laughing gas, is used as an anesthetic. it decomposes at high temperatures to form nitrogen gas (n₂) and oxygen gas (o₂). which chemical equation accurately represents this reaction? 2n₂o (g) → 2n₂ (g) + o₂ (g) 2n₂o (g) → n₂ (g) + o₂ (g) n₂o (g) → n₂ (g) + o₂ (g) 2n₂o (g) → n₂ (g) + 2o₂ (g)
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Check nitrogen - atom balance
For the reactant side, in $N_2O$, if we consider the number of nitrogen atoms. In the first option $2N_2O$, there are $2\times2 = 4$ nitrogen atoms. On the product - side of the first option, in $2N_2$, there are also $2\times2=4$ nitrogen atoms. In the second option, in $2N_2O$ there are 4 nitrogen atoms, but in $N_2$ on the product - side, there are only 2 nitrogen atoms, so the second option is wrong. In the third option, in $N_2O$ there are 2 nitrogen atoms, and in $N_2$ on the product - side, there are 2 nitrogen atoms. In the fourth option, in $2N_2O$ there are 4 nitrogen atoms, but in $N_2$ on the product - side, there are 2 nitrogen atoms, so the fourth option is wrong.
Step2: Check oxygen - atom balance
In the first option, in $2N_2O$ there are $2\times1 = 2$ oxygen atoms, and in $O_2$ on the product - side, there are 2 oxygen atoms. In the third option, in $N_2O$ there is 1 oxygen atom, but in $O_2$ on the product - side, there are 2 oxygen atoms, so the third option is wrong.
Answer:
$2N_2O_{(g)}\longrightarrow2N_2_{(g)} + O_2_{(g)}$