Question

Sodium azide nan3 is dissolved in water. Acidified silver nitrate is added to the solution and a white precipitate forms. Aqueous ammonia is then added to the solution and a white precipitate forms. Aqueous ammonia is then added to the white precipitate. The azide ion n3- has similar chemical properties to the cl- ion. What is the formula of the ppt formed and what is the observation on adding aqueous ammonia?

Answer 1

The formula of the precipitate formed is AgN₃ (Silver azide).

On adding aqueous ammonia to the precipitate formed, the precipitate dissolves due to the formation of a soluble complex compound with aqueous ammonia.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sodium azide is NaN₃

Silver Nitrate is AgNO₃

The two of them react and theres a double displacement where the ions exchange radicals.

NaN₃(aq) + AgNO₃(aq) → NaNO₃(aq) + AgN₃(s)

The azide ion (N₃⁻), which has very similar chemical properties as the chloride ion (Cl⁻), also forms an insoluble compound with Silver.

And just like AgCl, the precipitate (AgN₃) also dissolves when ammonia is added by forming a soluble complex.

AgN₃(s) + 2NH₃(aq) → [Ag(NH₃)₂]N₃(aq)

Hope this Helps!!!