Question

4) When solid sodium nitrate is heated, solid sodium nitrite and oxygen gas

(02) are produced. Write the balanced chemical equation for this chemical
reaction using the correct chemical formulas and include conditions (s, l, g, or
aq). Put your answer in the box below.

Write the balanced chemical equation and state what type of chemical reaction this is.

Answer 1

The decomposition of solid sodium nitrate when heated can be represented by the balanced chemical equation: 2 NaNO3 (s) → 2 NaNO2 (s) + O2 (g). This process is an example of a decomposition reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

When solid sodium nitrate is heated, the decomposition reaction produces solid sodium nitrite and oxygen gas. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

2 NaNO₃ (s) → 2 NaNO₂ (s) + O₂ (g)

This is a decomposition reaction because a single compound breaks down into two or more products.

Answer 2

Answer: The balanced chemical equation is
`2NaNO_(3)(s) + Heat \rightarrow 2NaNO_(2)(s) + O_(2)(g)` and it is a decomposition chemical reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

A chemical reaction in which single compound is decomposed into two or more species is called a decomposition reaction.

For example,
`NaNO_(3)(s) + Heat \rightarrow NaNO_(2)(s) + O_(2)(g)`

As the compound
`NaNO_(3)` is decomposing to given two different substances. So, it is a decomposition reaction.

Here, the number of atoms on reactant side are as follows.

• Na = 1

• N = 1

• O = 3

The number of atoms on product side are as follows.

• Na = 1

• N = 1

• O = 4

To balance this equation, multiply
`NaNO_(3)` by 2 on reactant side and multiply
`NaNO_(2)` by 2 on product side. Therefore, the equation will be rewritten as follows.

`2NaNO_(3)(s) + Heat \rightarrow 2NaNO_(2)(s) + O_(2)(g)`

Here, number of atoms on reactant side are as follows.

• Na = 2

• N = 2

• O = 6

The number of atoms on product side are as follows.

• Na = 2

• N = 2

• O = 6

Hence, this equation is balanced.

Thus, we can conclude that the balanced chemical equation is
`2NaNO_(3)(s) + Heat \rightarrow 2NaNO_(2)(s) + O_(2)(g)` and it is a decomposition chemical reaction.