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NITROGEN AND ITS COMPOUNDS

Nitrogen is a non metal found in group V of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 7 and its electronic
configuration is 2:5

OCCURRENCE

Nitrogen occurs chiefly as a free element in the atmosphere where it exits as diatomic molecules (N2 ). It
constitutes about 78% by volume of air. The free nitrogen in the air is very important because it dilutes the
oxygen of the air to a point where the processes of combustion, respiration and the corrosion of metals are
reasonably slow.

In the combined state, nitrogen occurs mainly as:

- Nitrates such as sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and ammonium nitrate.
- Proteins.
- Urea.

LABORATORY PREPARATION OF NITROGEN

Nitrogen can be prepared in the laboratory in the following ways:

A. From air by the chemical removal of other constituents

Nitrogen can be obtained from air by the removal of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour. The following
apparatus is used.

As water flows into the aspirator bottle, it displaces the air in it into the flask containing sodium hydroxide
solution which absorbs carbon dioxide from the air forming sodium carbonate.

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CO2 (g) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2 CO3 (aq) + H2 O(l)

The remaining part of the air is passed over heated copper turnings, which absorbs oxygen from it, forming
copper (II) oxide. A colour change from reddish-brown to black is observed. This confirms the removal of
oxygen.

2Cu(s)
⏟ + O2 (g) → 2CuO(s)
⏟
𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐡−𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤

The final gas mixture of nitrogen and the noble gases is collected over water and then dried by passing it
through concentrated sulphuric acid, which absorbs water vapour.

The nitrogen collected contains about 1% by volume of noble gases as impurities and as such is denser than
pure nitrogen.

B. By the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrite

Pure nitrogen is prepared in the laboratory by heating ammonium nitrite. The ammonium nitrite is obtained
by heating a mixture of sodium nitrite and ammonium chloride.

NaNO2 (s) + NH4 Cl(s) → NaCl(s) + NH4 NO2 (s)

The ammonium nitrite is slightly warmed and it decomposes producing nitrogen gas.
Warm
NH4 NO2 (s) → N2 (g) + 2H2 O(l)

C. From ammonia

Nitrogen gas is liberated when ammonia gas is oxidized by hot copper (II) oxide.

3NH3 (g) + 3 CuO(s)

⏟ → 3Cu(s) + N2 (g) + 3H2 O(l)
𝐇𝐨𝐭

INDUSTRIAL PREPARATION OF NITROGEN

Nitrogen is prepared industrially on large scale by the fractional distillation of liquid air. (See oxygen and its
compounds).

PROPERTIES OF NITROGEN

a) Physical properties:
- Nitrogen is a colourless, odourless and non-poisonous gas.
- It has a very low boiling point of −196℃.
- It is slightly less dense than air.
- It is slightly soluble in water.
- It is neutral to moist or damp litmus paper.

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Page 3 of 18 NITROGEN
b) Chemical properties: Nitrogen is relatively inert i.e. it is very unreactive. It does not support combustion.
This unreactive nature of nitrogen is due to the strong triple covalent bond (N ≡ N) in its molecules.
1) Reactions with metals: Certain metals such as Mg, Ca, Al and Fe combine directly with nitrogen when
heated to form the corresponding nitrides e.g. red-hot magnesium combines directly with nitrogen to form
magnesium nitride.

3Mg(s) + N2 (g) → Mg 3 N2 (s)

⏟
𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞

The magnesium nitride is readily hydrolysed when warmed with water to give ammonia gas (which has a
pungent smell) and magnesium hydroxide.

Warm
Mg 3 N2 (s) + 6H2 O(l) → 3Mg(OH)2 (s) + 2NH3 (g)

2) Reactions with non-metals:

a) With oxygen: Nitrogen combines with oxygen at high temperatures to form nitrogen monoxide. This
reaction occurs during thunderstorm in the air.

N2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2NO(g)

The nitrogen monoxide, when exposed to air combines readily with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide.

2NO(g) + O2 (g) → 2NO2 (g)

b) With hydrogen: In the presence of finely iron as a catalyst, a temperature of about 450℃ and pressure of
about 200atm, nitrogen combines directly with hydrogen to give ammonia. The reaction is reversible.

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)

THE TEST FOR NITROGEN

There is no particular chemical test for nitrogen gas. It is identified by the negative tests for other gases i.e. it
extinguishes a lighted splint, showing that it is not oxygen or any combustible gas, it has no effect on lime
water, showing that it is not carbon dioxide, it has no smell showing that is it not ammonia, chlorine, hydrogen
sulphide or sulphur dioxide.

USES OF NITROGEN

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- Nitrogen is used in the manufacture of ammonia.
- It is used as a preservative to prevent rancidity in packaged food.
- It is needed by plants for growth.
- It is used to provide an inert atmosphere in the manufacture of nylon and transistors.
- It is used a carrier gas in gas chromatography.

COMPOUNDS OF NITROGEN

AMMONIA

It is a hydride of nitrogen and is the only alkaline gas known. Ammonia is produced when organic matter
decays in the absence of air.

LABORATORY PREPARATION

Ammonia can be prepared by heating a mixture of any ammonium salt and an alkali. In the laboratory,
ammonium chloride and calcium hydroxide are used. Calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) is preferred to other
alkalis because it is non-deliquescent and cheap.

AN EXPERIMENT TO PREPARE AMMONIA IN THE LABORATORY FROM AMMONIUM CHLORIDE

AND SLAKED LIME

A powdered mixture of ammonium chloride and excess slaked lime is put in a round-bottomed flask and the
following apparatus is then set up.

Procedure:
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- The mixture of ammonium chloride and slaked lime is heated. The substances react together producing
ammonia gas which is collected by upward delivery because it is less dense or lighter than air.
2NH4 Cl(s) + Ca(OH)2 (s) → CaCl2 (s) + 2H2 O(l) + NH3 (g)
- The gas is dried by passing it through calcium oxide (quicklime) in the drying tower. The calcium oxide
could also be placed in a U-tube.
- Concentrated sulphuric acid and anhydrous calcium chloride are not suitable drying agents for ammonia
because they would react with the gas as follows.

H2 SO4 (aq) + 2NH3 (g) → (NH4 )2 SO4 (aq)

CaCl2 (s) + 4NH3 (g) → CaCl2 . 4NH3 (s)

Precaution: The round-bottom flask is mounted with its neck sloping downward (the flask is slanted) to
prevent the water that condenses around the neck of the flask from trickling back into the hot part of the flask
and crack it.

INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURE OF AMMONIA

In the industry, ammonia is manufactured from nitrogen and hydrogen by the Haber process, which is based
on the direct combination of the gases.

THE HABER PROCESS

The raw materials and their sources are:

- Nitrogen, from the fractional distillation of liquid air.
- Hydrogen, from the electrolysis of brine or from steam reforming.

Nitrogen and hydrogen are mixed in a volume ratio 1: 3, purified and then dried by passing the mixture
through concentrated sulphuric acid.

The mixture is then passed over a catalyst of finely divided iron in the catalyst chamber that is pre-heated to a
temperature of about of 450℃ − 500℃. In this chamber, the gases are kept under a pressure of about
200atm. Under these conditions, the gases combine reversibly to produce ammonia.

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)

The ammonia gas is liquefied by cooling in a freezing compartment and then stored. The unreacted nitrogen
and hydrogen are recycled to the catalyst chamber.

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PROPERTIES OF AMMONIA

a) Physical properties
- Ammonia is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent choking smell
- It is less dense than air.
- It is poisonous in large amounts.
- It is highly soluble in water, forming a weakly alkaline solution. It is the most soluble gas known.
- It turns moist red litmus paper blue, since it is an alkaline gas.

b) Chemical properties
1) As a base: Ammonia reacts with acids to form salts called ammonium salts, e.g.

2NH3 (g) + H2 SO4 (aq) → (NH4 )2 SO4 (aq)

NH3 (g) + HCl(aq) → NH4 Cl(aq)

2) As a reducing agent: It reduces hot copper (II) oxide to copper and is oxidized to nitrogen. A colour change
from black to reddish-brown is observed during this reaction.

3NH3 (g) + 3 CuO(s)

⏟ → 3Cu(s)
⏟ + N2 (g) + 3H2 O(l)
𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐡−𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧

3) Reaction with chlorine: Chlorine oxidizes ammonia to nitrogen, and is reduced to hydrogen chloride gas.

3NH3 (g) + 3Cl2 (g) → 6HCl(g)

If ammonia is present in excess, the hydrogen chloride gas will combine with some of the ammonia to
form dense white fumes of ammonium chloride.

NH3 (g) + HCl(g) → NH4 Cl(s)

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4) Reaction with oxygen: Ammonia does burn in air, but burns in oxygen gas with a greenish-yellow flame to
give nitrogen and water vapour.

4NH3 (g) + 3O2 (g) → 6H2 O(l) + 2N2 (g)

In the presence of a platinum catalyst at 900℃ and 10atm pressure, ammonia is oxidized to nitrogen
monoxide.

4NH3 (g) + 5O2 (g) → 6H2 O(l) + 4NO(g)

5) Reaction with carbon dioxide: Ammonia reacts with carbon dioxide at a temperature of 150℃ and a
pressure of 150atm to give urea, an important nitrogenous fertilizer.

2NH3 (g) + CO2 (g) → (NH2 )2 CO + H2 O(l)

⏟
𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚

6) Action of heat on ammonia: Ammonia decomposes when heated to a temperature of 500℃, yielding
hydrogen and nitrogen.

2NH3 (g) ⇌ N2 (g) + 3H2 (g)

TESTS FOR AMMONIA

 Insert moist red litmus paper into the gas jar of the unknown gas. If the gas has a choking smell and turns
the litmus paper blue, then the unknown gas is ammonia.
 Dip a glass rod into concentrated hydrochloric acid and then lower it into the gas jar of the unknown gas. If
the gas is ammonia, dense white fumes of ammonium chloride would be formed.

AQUEOUS AMMONIA

Aqueous ammonia or ammonium hydroxide is obtained by dissolving ammonia gas in water. It ionizes only
slightly in solution, forming the ammonium (𝑁𝐻4+ ) and hydroxide (𝑂𝐻 − ) ions. Hence aqueous ammonia is a
weak alkali.

NH3 (g) + H2 O(l) → NH4 OH(aq)

To dissolve ammonia gas in water, an inverted filter funnel is attached to the delivery tube and then inserted
in water such that its rim is just below the water surface. This inverted filter funnel prevents water from
sucking back into the reacting flask and also provides a larger surface area over which the gas dissolves.

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THE USES OF AMMONIA

- Ammonia is used in laundry works because it is a solvent for grease and oil stains.
- Liquid ammonia is used as a refrigerant or coolant because it is very volatile i.e. it evaporates rapidly.
- Ammonia is used in the manufacture of nitric acid.
- It is used in manufacture of nitrogenous fertilizers such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and
ammonium sulphate.
- Aqueous ammonia is used as water softener.
AMMONIUM SALTS
Ammonium salts are ionic compounds containing the ammonium ion (𝑁𝐻4+ ) as the cation. They are prepared
by neutralizing ammonia or aqueous ammonia with the appropriate acid e.g.

NH3 (g) + HCl(aq) → NH4 Cl(aq)

NH4 OH(aq) + HCl(aq) → NH4 Cl(aq) + H2 O(l)

PROPERTIES OF AMMONIUM SALTS

1) All common ammonium salts are white crystalline solids.

2) They dissolve readily in water and completely ionize, hence they are strong electrolytes.
3) All ammonium salts decompose on heating, except ammonium chloride which sublimes.

NH4 Cl(s) NH3 (g) + HCl(g)

The equations below show the action of heat on some ammonium salts.

(NH4 )2 SO4 (s) → 2NH3 (g) + H2 SO4 (l)

⏟ ∆
𝐀𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞

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(NH4 )2 CO3 (s) → 2NH3 (g) + H2 O(l) +CO2 (g)
⏟ ∆
𝐀𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞

⏟ 4 NO3 (s) →
NH
∆
N2 O(g) + 2H2 O(l)
𝐀𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞

4) All ammonium salts liberate ammonia gas when warmed with alkalis e.g.
(NH4 )2 SO4 (aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2 SO4 (aq) + 2H2 O(l) + 2NH3 (g)

THE TEST FOR THE AMMONIUM ION (𝐍𝐇𝟒+ )

The test solution is warmed with sodium hydroxide solution. If ammonium ions are present, a pungent
smelling ammonia gas would be evolved which turns moist red litmus paper blue.

NH4+ (aq) + 2OH − (aq) → H2 O(l) + NH3 (g)

USES OF SOME AMMONIUM SALTS

- Ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate are used as nitrogenous fertilizers.

- Ammonium chloride is as an electrolyte in dry cells.
- Concentrated ammonium sulphate is used as a weed killer.
- Ammonium nitrate is used in making explosives.
- Ammonium carbonate is commonly used in smelling salts to prevent dizziness and fainting.

OXIDES OF NITROGEN

Nitrogen forms several oxides, but the following are the most common:

 Nitrogen dioxide or nitrogen (V) oxide (𝑁𝑂2)

 Nitrogen monoxide or nitrogen (II) oxide (𝑁𝑂)
 Dinitrogen oxide (𝑁2 𝑂)

NITROGEN DIOXIDE

Nitrogen dioxide is usually present in the atmosphere in industrial zones and in big cities as a pollutant,
released by industries and vehicles.

LABORATORY PREPARATION OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE

It is prepared in the laboratory by the action of heat on the nitrates of heavy metals such as copper (II) nitrate,
iron (II) nitrate and lead (II) nitrate.

Lead (II) nitrate is preferred because it does not contain water of crystallization which would interfere with the
preparation.

The following apparatus is set up in a fume cupboard because nitrogen dioxide is poisonous.
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Lead (II) nitrate decomposes when strongly heated liberating brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide and oxygen gas,
leaving a solid residue of lead (II) oxide in the boiling tube.

2Pb(NO3 )2 (s) → 2PbO(s) + 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g)

∆

The nitrogen dioxide liquefies forming a green liquid (yellow when pure) as it enters the U-tube inserted in a
freezing mixture. Oxygen passes out of the U-tube and is collected over water.

PROPERTIES OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE

A. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- Nitrogen dioxide is a reddish-brown gas.
- It is poisonous and should be handled in a fume cupboard.
- It turns damp blue litmus paper red.
- It is denser than air.
- It easily liquefies into a yellow liquid at 20℃.
- It is very soluble in water forming an acidic solution.
B. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
1) Reaction with water: Nitrogen dioxide is a mixed acid anhydride because it dissolves in water to form a
mixture of two acids namely; nitrous acid (𝐻𝑁𝑂2) and nitric acid (𝐻𝑁𝑂3 ) i.e.

2NO2 (g) + H2 O(l) → HNO2 (aq) + HNO3 (aq)

2) Reaction with alkalis: As a mixed acid anhydride, nitrogen dioxide reacts with alkalis to form two types of
salts, nitrates and nitrites e.g.

2NaOH(aq) + 2NO2 (g) → NaNO2 (aq) + NaNO3 (aq) + H2 O(l)

3) As an oxidizing agent: It oxidizes copper and iron to copper (II) oxide and iron (II) oxide respectively and is
reduced to nitrogen.

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2NO2 (g) + 4Cu(s) → 4CuO(s) + N2 (g)

2NO2 (g) + 4Fe(s) → 4FeO(s) + N2 (g)

It oxidizes hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide and is reduced to nitrogen monoxide.

NO2 (g) + H2 S(g) → H2 O(l) + NO(g) + S(s)

NO2 (g) + CO(g) → CO2 (g) + NO(g)

4) Combustion: Nitrogen dioxide does not support combustion, but certain substances such as carbon,
phosphorus and magnesium burn in it. Magnesium for example burns producing intense heat which
decomposes nitrogen dioxide into nitrogen and oxygen. The oxygen then supports the burning of the
magnesium to produce magnesium oxide.

2NO2 (g) + 4Mg(s) → 4MgO(s) + N2 (g)

THE TEST FOR NITROGEN DIOXIDE

A reddish-brown gas with a pungent irritating smell that turns moist blue litmus paper red is nitrogen dioxide.

NITROGEN MONOXIDE

Nitrogen monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that is neutral to damp or moist litmus paper. It is almost
insoluble in water and is slightly denser than air.

LABORATORY PREPARATION OF NITROGEN MONOXIDE

Nitrogen monoxide is prepared in the laboratory by the action of dilute nitric acid on copper.

3Cu(s) + 8HNO3 (aq) → 3Cu(NO3 )2 (aq) + 4H2 O(l) + 2NO(g)

Some of the nitrogen monoxide readily reacts with oxygen of the air to form nitrogen dioxide. As a result, the
nitrogen monoxide produced is contaminated with brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide which could be removed
by passing the gas through water. Nitrogen dioxide dissolves in the water while the nitrogen monoxide is
collected over the water.

THE TEST FOR NITROGEN MONOXIDE

Nitrogen monoxide is the only colourless and odourless gas that reacts readily with oxygen to produce
reddish-brown fumes of nitrogen monoxide.

DINITROGEN OXIDE

It is often referred to as laughing gas. It is prepared in the laboratory by the thermal decomposition of
ammonium nitrate.
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LABORATORY PREPARATION OF DINITROGEN OXIDE

Ammonium nitrate is first prepared by heating a mixture of potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride.

KNO3 (s) + NH4 Cl(s) → KCl(s) + NH4 NO3 (s)

As heating continuous, the ammonium nitrate decomposes liberating dinitrogen oxide.

NH4 NO3 (s) → N2 O(g) + 2H2 O(l)

∆

The dinitrogen oxide gas is collected over warm water because it is fairly soluble in cold water.

PROPERTIES OF DINITROGEN OXIDE

1) It has a faint sickly, sweetish and pleasant smell.

2) It is a colourless gas that is fairly soluble in cold water.
3) It is denser than air, hence can be collected by downward delivery.
4) It is neutral to moist litmus paper.
5) At high temperature, it supports combustion and hence rekindles a glowing splint. This is because it
decomposes releasing oxygen.
2N2 O(g) → 2N2 (g) + O2 (g)

NITRIC ACID

LABORATORY PREPARATION

Nitric acid is prepared in the laboratory by heating concentrated sulphuric acid with any metallic nitrate e.g.
potassium nitrate. The concentrated sulphuric acid will displace the more volatile nitric acid from the nitrate.

AN EXPERIMENT TO PREPARE NITRIC ACID IN THE LABORATORY

Set up the apparatus as shown below. An all glass apparatus is used because nitric acid vapour attacks cork
and rubber, but does not attack glass.

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Procedure:

- The mixture of concentrated sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate in the retort is gently heated. On
heating, effervescence is observed as nitric acid is liberated.

KNO3 (s) + H2 SO4 (aq) → KHSO4 (s) + HNO3 (g)

- The nitric acid produced distils over and is collected in a receiver flask that is cooled under a running tap.
The nitric acid is collected as a yellow liquid because it is contaminated with brown fumes of nitrogen
dioxide formed by the slight decomposition of the acid.

4HNO3 (aq) → 2H2 O(l) + 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g)

- The nitrogen dioxide impurity can be removed by bubbling excess air through it. The following reaction
occurs and hence the nitrogen dioxide is removed.

2H2 O(l) + 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g) → 4HNO3 (aq)

Remark: This method cannot be used to prepare sulphuric acid because it is less volatile than all acids and
hence no acid can displace it from its salts.

INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURE OF NITRIC ACID – THE OSTWALD PROCESS

Industrially, nitric acid is manufactured by the catalytic oxidation of ammonia. This process is called the
Ostwald process. It involves three stages:

1) Ammonia from the Haber process is mixed with excess air and purified to remove dust particles and other
impurities. The mixture of gases under a pressure of about 10atm is passed over a platinum-rhodium
catalyst at a temperature of about 900℃. Under these conditions, ammonia is oxidized to nitrogen
monoxide.

4NH3 (g) + 5O2 (g) → 6H2 O(l) + 4NO(g) ∆H = +ve

This reaction produces heat which maintains the catalyst at the required temperature.
2) The nitrogen monoxide is rapidly cooled, mixed with excess air and then it combines with the oxygen of
the air to form nitrogen dioxide.

2NO(g) + O2 (g) → 2NO2 (g)

3) In the presence of more air, the nitrogen dioxide is dissolved in hot water to yield nitric acid.
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2H2 O(l) + 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g) → 4HNO3 (aq)

A more concentrated acid is obtained by fractional distillation.

PROPERTIES OF NITRIC ACID

A. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- Pure nitric acid is a colourless fuming liquid with a sharp choking smell.
- Pure nitric acid is very corrosive and readily destroys clothing, rubber and cork. It can burn the skin.
- Dilute nitric acid turns blue litmus paper red.
- It has boiling point of 86℃.
B. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
1) Acidic properties: Dilute nitric acid is strong acid because it ionizes completely in aqueous solution.
 It reacts with bases to form salts (nitrates) and water only e.g.

HNO3 (aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaNO3 (aq) + H2 O(l)

2HNO3 (aq) + ZnO(s) → Zn(NO3 )2 (aq) + H2 O(l)

 It reacts with metal carbonates to give salts (nitrates), carbon dioxide and water e.g.

2HNO3 (aq) + MgCO3 (s) → Mg(NO3 )2 (aq) + H2 O(l) + CO2 (g)

 Unlike other dilute acids, nitric acid does not react with metals liberating hydrogen gas. This is because
nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent and immediately oxidizes the hydrogen formed to water e.g.

3Cu(s) + 8HNO3 (aq) → 3Cu(NO3 )2 (aq) + 4H2 O(l) + 2NO(g)

However, very dilute nitric acid will liberate hydrogen with metals such as calcium, magnesium and
manganese e.g.

Mg(s) + ⏟
2HNO3 (aq) → Mg(NO3 )2 (aq) + H2 (g)
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞

2) As an oxidizing agent: Hot concentrated nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent. When it oxidizes, it is
reduced to nitrogen dioxide:

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 It oxidizes copper to copper (II) nitrate.

Cu(s) + 4HNO3 (aq) → Cu(NO3 )2 (aq) + 2H2 O(l) + 2NO2 (g)

 It oxidizes carbon to carbon dioxide.

C(s) + 4HNO3 (aq) → CO2 (aq) + 2H2 O(l) + 4NO2 (g)

 It oxidizes hydrogen sulphide to sulphur.

H2 S(g) + 2HNO3 (aq) → S(s) + 2H2 O(l) + 4NO2 (g)

3) Decomposition: Nitric acid is decomposed by heat or light to oxygen, nitrogen dioxide and water. It is
therefore usually stored in dark coloured glass bottles.

4HNO3 (aq) → 2H2 O(l) + 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g)

Remark: Nitric acid does not react with aluminium and hence is usually stored in aluminium containers.

USES OF NITRIC ACID

- Nitric acid is used in the manufacture of nitrogenous fertilizers.

- It is used to make explosives e.g. TNT.
- It is used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers such as nylon.
- It is used as a fuel in rocket engines.
- It is used in the manufacture of drugs and dyes.
- Concentrated nitric acid is used as an oxidizing agent in the laboratory.

NITRATES

Nitrates are the salts of nitric acid. They are prepared in the laboratory in the following ways:

1. By the neutralization of nitric acid with an appropriate base, e.g.

HNO3 (aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaNO3 (aq) + H2 O(l)

2HNO3 (aq) + MgO(s) → Mg(NO3 )2 (aq) + H2 O(l)

2. By the action nitric acid on a metal, e.g.

Cu(s) + 4HNO
⏟ 3 (aq) → Cu(NO3 )2 (aq) + 2H2 O(l) + 2NO2 (g)
𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜.

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3. By the action of nitric acid on metallic carbonates, e.g.

Na2 CO3 (s) + 2HNO3 (aq) → NaNO3 (aq) + H2 O(l) + CO2 (g)

Remark: Nitrates are recovered from aqueous solution by crystallization only.

PROPERTIES OF NITRATES
1) All nitrates are soluble in water.
2) All nitrates decompose on heating as follows:
 The nitrates of sodium and potassium decompose on heating to give nitrites and oxygen gas, e.g.

2KNO3 (s) → 2KNO2 (s) + O2 (g)

∆

 The nitrates of Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cu decompose on heating to give the corresponding oxides,
oxygen and brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide, e.g.

2Pb(NO3 )2 (s) → 2PbO(s) + 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g)

∆

 The nitrates of Ag, Hg and Au decompose on heating to give the corresponding metals, oxygen and
nitrogen dioxide, e.g.

AgNO3 (s) → 2Ag(s) + NO2 (g) + O2 (g)

∆

3) All nitrates react with concentrated sulphuric acid when heated to produce nitric acid, e.g.

NaNO3 (s) + H2 SO4 (aq) → NaHSO4 (s) + HNO3 (g)

METAL ACTION OF HEAT ON NITRATES SOLUBILITY

Na Nitrates of these metals decompose on heating to give
K the corresponding nitrite and oxygen
All
Ca
nitrates
Mg
Al Nitrates of these metals decompose on heating to give are
Zn the corresponding oxides, oxygen and nitrogen dioxide
soluble
Fe
Pb in

Ag water
Nitrates of these metals decompose on heating to give
Hg
the corresponding metals, oxygen and nitrogen dioxide
Au

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Page 17 of 18 NITROGEN
THE BROWN RING TEST FOR NITRATES

The brown ring test is used to identify the nitrate ion (𝑁𝑂3− ) in aqueous solution. It is carried out as follows:

- The test solution is mixed with some freshly prepared iron (II) sulphate solution in a test tube.
- The mixture is shaken to mix the substances uniformly.
- The test tube is held in a slanting position and concentrated sulphuric acid is added to it very carefully
down the side of the test tube. The concentrated sulphuric acid forms a separate layer beneath the
aqueous layer.
- If the test solution contains nitrate ions, a brown ring appears between the acid layer and the aqueous
layer.

THE NITROGEN CYCLE

The nitrogen cycle is the circulation of nitrogen in nature. This cycle is brought about by processes which
remove nitrogen from the soil and processes which supply nitrogen to the soil.

Nitrogen naturally circulates between the atmosphere and the soil. In the atmosphere it exists as a free
element while in the soil it exists mainly as nitrates.

PROCESSES WHICH REMOVE NITROGEN FROM THE SOIL

1. Plants remove nitrogen from the soil in the form of nitrates which they use to make proteins.
2. The action of denitrifying bacteria. These are bacteria which convert soil nitrates into atmospheric
nitrogen.
PROCESSES WHICH SUPPLY NITROGEN TO THE SOIL
The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to soil nitrates available to plants is called nitrogen fixation. This
could natural or artificial.
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Page 18 of 18 NITROGEN
 Natural methods of fixing atmospheric nitrogen
1. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria or nitrifying bacteria such as Rhizobium, convert atmospheric nitrogen into soil
nitrates. These bacteria are usually present in the nodules of leguminous plants such as pea, beans, soy
beans etc.
2. Lightning converts some of the atmospheric nitrogen to the oxides of nitrogen which dissolve in rain water
and finally reach the soil where they are converted into nitrates.
 Artificial methods of fixing atmospheric nitrogen
Nitrogen from the air is used to manufacture ammonia which is in turn used to make nitrogenous
fertilizers such ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulphate etc which are applied to
the soil.

ASSIGNMENT: Draw the nitrogen cycle

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