Question 1
a. Identify the gas evolved in the following reactions
i) Ammonia burns in an atmosphere of oxygen
Equation: 4 NH₃ + 3 O₂ → 2 N₂ + 6 H₂O
Gas evolved: N₂
ii) Dilute sulphuric acid added to zinc sulphide
ZnS + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂S↑
Gas evolved: H₂S
iii) Copper is treated with concentrated nitric acid
Cu + 4 HNO₃ (conc) → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2 NO₂↑ + 2 H₂O
Gas evolved: NO₂
iv) Action of concentrated H₂SO₄ on sodium chloride
NaCl + H₂SO₄ (conc) → NaHSO₄ + HCl↑
Gas evolved: HCl
v) When excess ammonia reacts with chlorine
NH₃ + 3 Cl₂ → NCl₃ + 3 HCl (also intermediate products)
Gas evolved: NCl₃ (nitrogen trichloride)
b. Choose the most appropriate answer
i) Gas that decolourises KMnO₄ paper: A. SO₂
ii) Role of conc. H₂SO₄ in S + 2 H₂SO₄ → 3 SO₂ + 2 H₂O: B. Oxidizing agent
iii) Catalytic oxidation of ammonia yields: B. NO + H₂O
iv) Salt giving white ppt with NH₄OH, soluble in excess: C. Zn(NO₃)₂
v) Nitrogen oxide from Cu + conc. HNO₃: C. NO₂
vi) Acid that chars cane sugar: C. Concentrated H₂SO₄
vii) Indicator unaltered by HCl gas: D. None
viii) Acid that cannot oxidize: C. Conc. HCl
ix) Dilute acid that is oxidizing: B. Dilute HNO₃
x) Chloride forming precipitate soluble in NH₄OH: D. CuCl₂
c. Give one reason for each
i) HCl fumes in moist air because it forms tiny droplets of hydrochloric acid that scatter light.
ii) Quicklime (CaO) reacts with HCl to form CaCl₂, so it cannot dry HCl.
iii) HNO₃ turns yellowish-brown over time due to decomposition into NO₂.
iv) Flask is inclined to prevent NH₄Cl vapors from condensing in the delivery tube.
v) NH₄NO₃ is avoided because it can produce NO₂ impurities and is explosive upon strong
heating.
d. Complete and balance the equations
i) Δ KNO₃ + H₂SO₄ → KHSO₄ + HNO₃
ii) NH₄OH + ZnSO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄ + Zn(OH)₂↓
iii) C + 4 HNO₃ (conc) → CO₂ + 4 NO₂ + 2 H₂O
iv) NH₃ + PbO → PbNH₄O (or better: PbO + 2 NH₃ → Pb(OH)₂ + (NH₄)₂O)
v) NH₃ + Cl₂ (excess) → NCl₃ + 3 HCl
e. Observations
i) HCl added to AgNO₃: white ppt of AgCl forms.
ii) FeS + dilute acid: H₂S gas evolved (rotten-egg smell).
iii) NH₄OH + CuSO₄ (small) → pale blue Cu(OH)₂ ppt; in excess: dissolves to deep blue
[Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺ complex.
iv) Conc. H₂SO₄ + NaCl (heated): white fumes of HCl evolve.
v) Conc. H₂SO₄ + sugar: chars to black carbon, gives off steam and SO₂.
f. Name the following
i) Reagent to distinguish between dil. HCl and HNO₃: AgNO₃ (AgCl precipitates with HCl;
none with HNO₃)
ii) Alkali preferred for lab ammonia: Ca(OH)₂ (or NaOH)
iii) Chemical name of sal ammoniac: NH₄Cl
iv) Chemical prepared by Ostwald process: HNO₃
v) Chemical not used to dry HCl: Conc. HNO₃ (it reacts with HCl)
g. Identify underlined substance
i) Solid from acidic and basic gases: NH₄Cl (ammonium chloride)
ii) Solution turning silvery-black with H₂S: Ag⁺ → forms Ag₂S
iii) Dirty green with NH₄OH + FeSO₄: Fe(OH)₂
iv) Black oxide reduced by NH₃: CuO → forms Cu
v) Reddish-brown gas turning blue litmus red: NO₂
Question 2
a. Lab prep of HNO₃ from KNO₃
i) All-glass apparatus prevents HNO₃ loss by volatilization and resists corrosion.
ii) Nitric acid is collected by fractional distillation (below 200 °C) to avoid decomposition.
iii) Temperature <200 °C to prevent decomposition of HNO₃ into NO₂ and H₂O.
iv) Equation: KNO₃ + H₂SO₄ → KHSO₄ + HNO₃
b. Match properties A–D
i) NaCl + H₂SO₄ → NaHSO₄ + HCl → A. Acidic property
ii) CuO + H₂SO₄ → CuSO₄ + H₂O → C. Non-volatile acid (provides H⁺)
iii) S + 2 H₂SO₄ → 3 SO₂ + 2 H₂O → D. Oxidizing agent
iv) C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ + conc. H₂SO₄ → 12 C + 11 H₂O → B. Dehydrating agent
c. Ammonia solubility & reducing property
i) Experiment: Ammonia fountain experiment – gas dissolves in water, sucking up liquid.
ii) Equation showing reducing action: 2 NH₃ + 3 CuO → 3 Cu + N₂ + 3 H₂O
Question 3
a. Industrial ammonia preparation
i) Process: Haber-Bosch process
iii) Equation: N₂ + 3 H₂ ⇌ 2 NH₃
ii) Catalyst: Iron catalyst (Fe with K₂O and Al₂O₃ promoters)
iv) NH₃ is liquefied under high pressure and low temperature, then collected.
b. Lab prep of HCl gas
i) Equation: NaCl + H₂SO₄ (conc) → NaHSO₄ + HCl↑
ii) Temperature <200 °C to avoid decomposition and vapour losses.
iii) HCl is heavier than air; collected by downward displacement.
iv) Conc. H₂SO₄ acts as a dehydrating agent and non-volatile acid, driving the reaction.
c. Fountain experiment with HCl & NH₃
(i) Common property: Both gases are highly soluble in water, creating pressure differentials.
(ii) Colour of fountain with NH₃: Milky or white (due to NH₄OH fumes).
Question 4
a. HCl gas absorption in water
i) Use a gas-washing bottle (Woulff’s flask) or gas bubbler: HCl gas is bubbled downwards into
water held in a flask.
ii) Reason: Prevents HCl escaping; ensures efficient absorption and safety due to solubility and
corrosiveness.
b. Complete and balance equations
i) C + H₂SO₄ (conc) → CO₂ + SO₂ + H₂O
ii) Fe + H₂SO₄ (dil) → FeSO₄ + H₂↑
iii) 2 NaOH + H₂SO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + 2 H₂O
iv) Na₂SO₃ + 2 HCl → 2 NaCl + SO₂ + H₂O
c. Manufacture of nitric acid
i) Catalyst: Platinum-rhodium gauze (Ostwald process)
ii) Equations:
1. NH₃ + O₂ → NO + H₂O
2. 2 NO + O₂ → 2 NO₂
3. 3 NO₂ + H₂O → 2 HNO₃ + NO
Question 5
a. Molecular conversions
1. NH₃ → A → NH₄OH → B → (NH₄)₂SO₄ → C
A: Reaction with H₂O: NH₃ + H₂O → NH₄OH
B: Neutralization by H₂SO₄: 2 NH₄OH + H₂SO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 2 H₂O
C: is already (NH₄)₂SO₄
2. Iron(III) hydroxide reaction: Fe(OH)₃
b. Distinguishing tests
i) NH₄OH vs. NaOH with CuSO₄:
NH₄OH → blue precipitate dissolving in excess; NaOH → similar but no NH₃ evolution.
ii) HCl vs. H₂SO₄ with Pb(NO₃)₂:
HCl ➔ white ppt of PbCl₂ (soluble in hot water); H₂SO₄ ➔ white ppt of PbSO₄
(insoluble).
c. Burning and catalytic oxidation of ammonia
i) Burning: 4 NH₃ + 3 O₂ → 2 N₂ + 6 H₂O
Catalytic oxidation: 4 NH₃ + 5 O₂ → 4 NO + 6 H₂O
ii) Observation in combustion: a luminous flame and formation of water vapor.
iii) Catalyst in oxidation: Platinum or Pt-Rh gauze
iv) Industrial process name: Ostwald process (for HNO₃ production)