Chapter 15: Problem 70
The blue liquid formed by equimolar mixture of two gases at \(-30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is (a) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) (b) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) (c) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) (d) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{5}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The blue liquid is \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
We need to determine which compound is formed as a blue liquid from an equimolar mixture of two gases at -30°C. The options provided are different nitrogen oxides.
02
Identify the Compounds
Examine the compounds: (a) \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}\) is known as dinitrogen monoxide. (b) \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}\) is dinitrogen trioxide. (c) \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{4}\) is dinitrogen tetroxide. (d) \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{5}\) is dinitrogen pentoxide.
03
Determine the Likely Liquid at -30°C
Recall the physical properties of these compounds: 1. \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}\) (nitrous oxide) is a gas under these conditions.2. \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}\) is a liquid at low temperatures, forming from \(\mathrm{NO}\) and \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\).3. \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{4}\) is colorless or pale yellow, not blue.4. \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{5}\) decomposes easily at ambient conditions, typically solid.
04
Recognize the Blue Liquid
The correct compound, \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{3}\), is known to be a blue liquid at low temperatures. It forms by an equimolar mixture of gases \(\mathrm{NO}\) and \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\), matching the problem description.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chemical Compounds
In the realm of chemistry, a chemical compound is a substance composed of two or more different types of atoms bonded together. Compounds have specific chemical formulas, representing the elements and number of atoms of each element present in a molecule. For example, nitrogen oxides are a group of compounds made of nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) atoms. These compounds vary in their number of oxygen atoms per nitrogen atom, resulting in different members like
- Dinitrogen monoxide (\(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}\)) - commonly known as laughing gas.
- Dinitrogen trioxide (\(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_3\)) - forms a blue liquid at low temperatures.
- Dinitrogen tetroxide (\(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_4\)) - appears colorless or pale yellow.
- Dinitrogen pentoxide (\(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_5\)) - often decomposes under mild conditions.
Physical Properties
Physical properties are characteristics of substances that can be observed without changing their composition. Each molecular structure provides unique attributes like:
- State at Room Temperature: Some nitrogen oxides like \(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}\) exist as gases, while others, like \(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_3\), transform into liquid under specific conditions such as low temperatures.
- Color: Dinitrogen trioxide \(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_3\) notably forms a blue liquid, which is an important identifying feature.
- Boiling and Melting Points: These determine the temperatures at which compounds transition between solid, liquid, and gaseous states. The low-temperature stability of \(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_3\) allows it to remain liquid at -30°C.
- Volatility: Compounds like \(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_5\) can decompose easily, demonstrating their instability in ambient conditions.
Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions involve the transformation of substances by breaking and forming chemical bonds. In the context of nitrogen oxides:
- Formation of Dinitrogen Trioxide: It occurs through the reaction between nitric oxide (\(\mathrm{NO}\)) and nitrogen dioxide (\(\mathrm{NO}_2\)). An equimolar mixture of these gases results in dinitrogen trioxide \(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_3\), particularly under cold conditions, forming a blue liquid.
- Decomposition: Some nitrogen oxides, such as \(\mathrm{N}_2\mathrm{O}_5\), are not stable and can break down into simpler components like nitrogen dioxide and oxygen, especially under ambient temperature.
- Environmental Reactions: Nitrogen oxides are significant in atmospheric chemistry, contributing to phenomena like smog formation and acid rain when they react with other environmental components.