[Chemistry Class Notes] Nitrous Oxide Pdf for Exam

Nitrous oxide is an inorganic molecule that is made using two nitrogen elements and a single oxygen element. Nitrous oxide is one of the variable oxides associated with nitrogen. However, it does not come under NOₓ gases which are responsible for air pollution. This gas was initially discovered by a chemist named Joseph Priestley. 

The Chemical Name and Formula of the Nitrous oxide

The chemical name for Nitrous oxide is called nitrogen (I) oxide or dinitrogen monoxide. The chemical formula for Nitrous oxide is N2O and this formula represents one atom of oxygen and two atoms of nitrogen. This is an unreactive gas and the oxidation state of the nitrogen is +1 in the nitrous oxide gas. 

The Structure of Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is a linear inorganic molecule. The pi-bond which is present within the molecule displays resonance. The comprehensive structure of the Nitrous oxide exhibits the bond length having 119 picometers N-O bonds and 113 picometer N-N bonds. 

The Properties of Nitrous Oxide

The physical properties of nitrous oxide are as follows.

  • Nitrous oxide exists in the gaseous state.

  • It is colourless in nature.

  • It has a neutral molecule.

  • It tastes sweet and has a pleasant odour.

  • The molecular weight of Nitrous oxide is 44g/mol.

  • It is highly soluble in water.

  • Nitrous oxide is non-combustible in nature and its vapour is considerably denser than the air.

The Chemical Properties of Nitrous Oxide are as Follows.

  • Nitrous oxide is one of the gases that cause global warming.

  • Nitrous oxide decomposes violently when exposed to high temperatures.

  • Nitrous oxide in small amounts acts as the anaesthetic chemical used in minor surgeries.

  • It decomposes into oxygen and nitrogen at 873 K. This is why it supports combustion reaction in the presence of an oxygen source. 

  • The oxidation state is +1 for nitrogen in the Nitrous oxide gas.

The Uses of Nitrous oxide

  • Nitrous oxide is used as a veterinarian and human anaesthetic chemical.

  • Nitrous oxide is used for making chemicals that are used in rocket fuels. 

  • It is also used as the foaming agent. 

  • It is used as an oxidiser and it is also utilised in dentistry. 

  • Nitrous oxide is used in surgery as a form of anaesthetic and it is also used as a form of air spray repellent.  

The Effects of Nitrous oxide

  • Nitrous oxide causes mental impairment and mutation by damaging the DNA.

  • It also causes oxygen deprivation and chronic exposure to nitrous oxide leads to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. 

  • Nitrous oxide displays an anxiolytic effect.

  • It also shows the euphoric effects.

To know more about this gas and to develop your conceptual foundation stronger log on to and find the best study material. Get to know what the experts have to say about this gas. Find deeper and conceptual information and prepare your notes for exams accordingly.

Preparation of Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is prepared by a heating rection. Ammonium nitrate is heated at a high temperature and nitrous oxide is formed as a product and water molecule as a byproduct. Ammonium nitrate is a thermally unstable molecule. Therefore, it gets decomposed at high temperatures.

 

[NH_{4}NO_{3} rightarrow  N_{2}O + 2H_{2}O] 

 

Nitrogen combines with oxygen under different conditions to form a number of binary oxides which differ with respect to the oxidation state of the nitrogen atom. They range from nitrous oxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +1) through nitric oxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +2), nitrogen trioxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +3), nitrogen tetraoxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +4) to nitrogen pentaoxide (oxidation state of nitrogen is +5). The nitrogen oxide formula represents the number of nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms in a molecule.

 

Nitrogen Oxide Formula

Nitrogen Oxide Formula

Oxidation State of Nitrogen

Physical Appearance,

Acidic or Neutral Character

Properties

Dinitrogen monoxide (N2O)

+1

Colourless gas and neutral

Unreactive gas

Nitric oxide (NO)

+2

Colourless gas and neutral

Paramagnetic, reactive and thermodynamically unstable

Dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3)

+3

Pale blue solid and acidic

Unstable in the gaseous phase

Dinitrogen tetraoxide (N2O4)

+4

Colourless solid or liquid acidic

Exists in equilibrium with NO2 both in the gaseous phase and liquid phase

Nitrogen dioxide

(NO2)

+4

Brown gas acidic

Reactive and paramagnetic

Dinitrogen pentaoxide

+5

Colourless solid or gas and acidic

Unstable as gas, in solid-state exists as (NO2) + (NO3)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *