15. Nitrogen and its compounds Questions and Answers

Nitrogen and its compounds Questions

1. The apparatus below was set-up to show the catalytic oxidation of ammonia. Study the diagram

and answer the questions that follow:-

(i) Write an equation for the reaction that takes place  

(ii) Why is it necessary to have a hot nichrome wire in the gas jar?    

(iii) Write the formula of the complex ion formed when excess ammonia gas is passed through

a solution containing Zn²⁺ ions

2.  The diagram below shows the catalytic oxidation of ammonia gas. Use it to answer the

questions that follow:-

(a) What metal could rod M be made of?  

 (b) State and explain two observations made inside the conical flask

3. Ammonia gas is prepared in the laboratory by the action of an alkali on an ammonium salt.

A student wanted to prepare a sample of ammonia gas in the laboratory.

(a) Give one alkali that can be used in the above experiment

(b) Write an equation for the reaction that takes place in the above experiment

4.  (a) Explain the importance of the high percentage of nitrogen in air  

  (b) Why is nitrogen used for storage of semen in artificial insemination?

5.  The diagram below is used in preparation of a gas in the laboratory. Answer the questions

that follow;

 (a) Name gas X …………………………………………………………………………..  

 (b) State one physical property which makes it possible for the gas to be collected as shown*

 (c) State one commercial use of gas X  

6  Study the flow charts below and use them to answer the questions that follow:

 (a) Identify possible cations present in:

  (i) Solution A  

(ii) Solution B  

 (b) State and explain the observations made when a sample of dry white precipitate B is

heated in a test-tube

7.  The set-up below is an arrangement showing how metals react with nitrogen (IV) oxide.

  Study it and answer the questions that follow:-

 (a) Nitrogen (IV) oxide is passed through the combustion tube before copper is heated.

Give a reason for this

 (b) State the observations that would be made at the end of the experiment in the combustion

tube

 (c) Name gas N  ……………………………………………………………………..  

8.  (a) In haber process hydrogen and nitrogen react in the presence of finely divided iron catalyst.

Explain why the catalyst is finely divided  

 (b) A mixture of N_2, H₂ and NH₃ was bubbled through 0.2M hydrochloric acid solution.

The final concentration of the acid was found to be 0.1M. Give explanation

9.  In an experiment, a few drops of concentrated nitric acid were added to aqueous iron II sulphate

  in a test-tube. Excess ammonia solution was then added to the mixture

 (a) State the observations that were made when:-

  (i) Concentrated nitric acid was added to aqueous iron (II) sulphate

  (ii) Excess ammonia was added to the mixture

 (b) Write an ionic equation for the reaction which occurred in a (ii) above

10.  The chart below shows a summary for the preparation of nitrogen gas from air

 (a) What is the purpose of the sodium hydroxide?

 (b) Write an equation for the reaction taking place in chamber II  

 (c) The nitrogen gas obtained is not pure. Explain

11. Dilute nitric acid is added to excess green solid. Effervescence occurs and a blue solution is formed.

When excess ammonia solution is added to a sample of the solution a deep blue solution is formed

(a) Identify the anion and cation in the green solid:

(b) Write an ionic equation for the reaction forming deep blue solution  

12. The diagram below is a set-up for preparation and collection of a gas. Study it answer the

questions that follow:

  (i) Identify gas X  ………………………………………………………….

  (ii) Write an equation for the formation of gas X

 (iii) What precaution should be observed when preparing gas X by the above method?  

 (iv) Describe the suitable drying agent for gas X  

 (v) How can one confirm that the gas collected is gas X?

  (vi) State two physical properties of gas X  

(b) The diagram below is a set-up used in preparation of ammonia solution. Study it and answer

the questions that follow

  (i) What is the purpose of the filter funnel in the set-up above?

  (ii) What would happen if a delivery tube was used in place of the filter funnel?

 (iii) What observation would be made on litmus paper placed into the solution in the beaker

at the end of the experiment?

13.  The following flow chart shows the industrial manufacture of Nitric (V) acid.

 a) Identify substance B, C, E and F.

 b) Describe what happens in the catalytic chamber.  

 c) State what takes place in chamber D.  

d) 60 – 65% nitric (V) acid is produced in the absorption chamber. Describe how the acid can be

concentrated.  

e) State why nitric (V) acid is stored in dark bottles.

f) Copper reacts with nitric (V) acid and not hydrochloric acid. Explain.

14.  The flow chart below illustrates two industrial processes, Haber process and the Contact process:

(i) Give the name of the process by which air is seperated into oxygen and nitrogen

 (ii) Apart from oxygen and nitrogen gases produced from process (a)(i) Name

one other gas produced

 (b) Name the substances represented by the letters A, B, C and E  

  (c) Name the catalysts used in:    

(i) Haber Process ……………………………………………………………………..

(ii) Contact Process ……………………………………………………………………..

 (d) Explain the role of the catalysts in both the Haber and the Contact processes

 (e) Write a chemical equation for the formation of compound B

 (f) Calculate the percentage by mass of the nitrogen present in compound D

 (g) Give one major use of compound E  

15.  The diagram below represents a set-up used to obtain nitrogen from air. Study it and

answer the questions that follow:-

(i) Name solid Q  ………………………………………………………………………………………………

 (ii) What is the purpose of sodium hydroxide

 (iii) Write an equation for the reaction which took place in tube “P”

 (iv) Give the name of one impurity in the nitrogen gas obtained

 (v) Give a reason why liquid nitrogen is used for storage of semen for artificial insemination

(b) The set-up below was used to prepare nitric acid.

(i) Give the name of liquid ‘R‘  …………………………………………………………………………

 (ii) Explain the following:-

(a) Nitric acid is stored in dark bottles  

(b) The reaction between copper metal with 50% nitric acid in an open tube gives brown fumes

16.  Study the flow chart below and answer the questions which follow:

(i) Give one source of the following raw materials (s)

(a) Nitrogen gas ………………………………………………………………………………..

(b) Hydrogen gas …………………………………………………………………………………..

(ii) State three conditions required in process I

 (iii) Name: catalyst P…………………………………………………………………  

Gas M……………………………………………………………………..……

 (iv) Write chemical equations for;

(a) Formation of gas M  

(b) The reaction in the absorption tower

 (v) Give two reasons why step IV is necessary

(vi) Describe how you would test if a given liquid is a nitrate  

 (vii) Give three uses of nitric acid

17.  The diagram below shows the apparatus for the laboratory preparation of one of the oxides

of Nitrogen

 a) (i) Name the gas being produced

(ii) Write the equation for the thermal decomposition of ammonium Nitrate

(iii) The gas is being collected over hot water. Explain

(iv) State and explain the observations made when burning sulphur is lowered into a

gas jar containing the gas

(b) (i) Name the catalyst used during catalytic oxidation of ammonia

  (ii) Nitrogen (IV) oxide is the final product during catalytic oxidation of ammonia.

Write a chemical equation for its formation

  (iii) State two physical differences between Nitrogen (I) oxide and Nitrogen (IV) Oxide

(c) Nitric acid is prepared in the laboratory by action of concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid

on a suitable Nitrate and distilling off the Nitric acid, in all glass apparatus.

  (i) Why must the apparatus be made of glass?

  (ii) Hot concentrated Nitric acid reacts with sulphur in the equation below:-

  S_(s) + 6HNO_3(aq) H₂SO_3(aq) + 6NO_2(g) + 2H₂O_(l)

(I) Identify the species :-

Oxidised ………………………… Reduced …………………………………

(II) Pure nitric acid is colourless but the product during its preparation is usually pale yellow.

Explain

18.  a) Describe the process by which oxygen can be obtained from air on large scale  

b) The flow chart below shows the industrial manufacture of nitric (V) acid

i) Identify substances X and Y

ii) Write an equation for the reaction taking place in the absorption tower

iii) The concentration of the acid obtained is about 60%. How can this concentration be increased

to about 65%?  

iv) A factory uses nitric (V) acid and ammonia as the only reactants for the production of a fertilizer.

If a mass of 9600kg of fertilizer was produced, calculate the mass of ammonia gas needed

(N = 14, H = 1, O = 16)  

1.9

 (a) Name another substance which can be used instead of sodium hydroxide

 (b) What is the function of filters?

 (c) Identify the substance removed at step III

 (d) At what temperature does liquid oxygen distil?

 (e) Identify process X  

 (f) Describe how process X occurs

 (g) I. State one industrial use of Nitrogen  

  (II) Air is a mixture but not a compound. Give two reasons  

20.  Using chemical equations show the bleaching actions of chlorine and sulphur(IV)oxide  

21.  The diagram below represents an in complete set-up for preparation of a dry sample of gas R

a) Complete the set-up to show how a dry sample of gas R is collected

 b) Write a chemical equation for the reaction that produces gas R  

22.  The diagram below was used to investigate the reaction between nitrogen(I)oxide and copper

 turnings. Study it and answer the questions that follow:

 a) What has been omitted in the set-up? (show it on the diagram)

 b) Write a chemical equation for the reaction that took place in the combustion tube  

 c) State one use of gas P

23.  When sulphur powder is heated to over 400^oC the following changes are observed:-

  At 113^oC it melts into light brown liquid. The liquid then darkens to become reddish-brown

and very viscous at 160^oC. Above 160^oC the liquid becomes almost black. At the boiling point

the liquid becomes mobile. Explain these observations

24.  Concentrated sodium chloride (Brine) was electrolysed using platinum electrodes.

 What would be the difference in terms of products at each electrode if dilute sodium chloride

 solution was used in place of brine. Explain  

25.  (i) Nitrogen (I) Oxide supports, combustion of burning charcoal. Write an equation

to show this reaction

 (ii) Ammonium nitrate can be heated to give off nitrogen (I) Oxide. However, a mixture

of NH₄Cl and NaNO₃ is preferred. Explain

 (iii) Ammonia turns wet red litmus paper blue. Which ion is responsible for this reaction  

26.  Study the scheme below and answer the questions that follow:

 (a) Name solids E and F

 (b) Write down a balanced equation for the reactions that lead to formation of solid F  

27.  When a few drops of aqueous ammonia were added to a colourless solution X, a white

precipitate was formed. On addition of more aqueous ammonia, the white precipitate

dissolved to a colourless solution Q

 (a) Name the white precipitate formed  

 (b) Write formula of the complex ion present in the colourless solution Q

 (c) Write an ionic equation for the formation of the white precipitate

28.  The first step in the industrial manufacture of nitric cid is the catalytic oxidation of ammonia

gas.

a) What is the name of the catalyst used?  

b) Write the equation for the catalytic oxidation of ammonia gas.  

c) Nitric acid is used to make ammonium nitrate. State one use of ammonium nitrate.  

29.  Explain what is observed when ammonia gas is bubbled into Copper (II) sulphate solution

till in excess.

30.  (a) State the conditions under which nitrogen react with hydrogen to form ammonia during

  Haber process  

 (b) When dry ammonia gas is passed over hot copper (II) Oxide, a shinny brown residue

and a colourless droplets are formed. Explain these two observations

31.  Study the flow chart below and answer the questions that follow

 (a) State the observation made when ammonia is passed over heated Copper (II) Oxide

 (b) Identify:-

(i) Gas A   ………………………………………….………

  (ii) Liquid B   ………………………………..…………………

Nitrogen and its compounds Answers

1.  (i) 4HN₃ (g) + 5O_2
(g) 4NO_(g) + 6H₂O_(g)

 (ii) Act as catalyst

  (iii) Zn(NH₃)₄ ²⁺

2.  a) Platinum/ copper

 b) Brown fumes √

   Hot rod m continues to glow red

– NO formed reacts with oxygen to form NO₂ (brown flames)

– Reaction highly exothermic

3.  a) Calcium hydroxide

 b) Ca(OH)_2(g) + 2NH₄CL_(g) ________ 2NH_3(g) + CaCL₂ + 2H₂O_(L)

4.  (a) It neutralizes air to prevent violent combustion reaction from occurring.

 (b) Its inert and have very low b.pt of -196^oC  *MAT

5.  a) X is Nitrogen. ^√1

 b) It is less dense than air. ^√½

 c) – In preservation of semen in artificial insemination. ^√1

6.  a) (i) Solution A contains Pb²⁺(aq) ions ^√½

  (ii) Solution B contains Al³⁺(aq) ions. ^√½

 b) – A colourless liquid at cooler parts ^√1 of test-tube is formed.

  – A white reside remains in the test-tube. ^√1

7. a) to expel air that is in the combustion tube so that oxygen in it does not react with

hot copper√1

b)brown√ ½ copper metal will change to black√ ½

c)nitrogen √1

8.  (a) To increase the surface area over which the reaction occurs hence increased rate

of reaction.

 (b) NH₃ is basic and reacts with some moles of the acid hence reduction in concentration

9.  (a) (i) The solution changes from green
√1 to brown
√1  (1 mk)

  (ii) A brown √1 precipitate is formed. (1 mk)   3

 (b) Fe³⁺_(aq) + 3OH^–_(aq) Fe(OH)_3(s)
√1 (1 mk)

10.  (a) – Absorbs carbon (IV) oxide from√1 the air.  (1 mk)

 (b) 2 Cu_(s) + O₂ 2CuO_(s)
√1  (1 mk) 3

 (c) Because it has the rare gases. √1 (1 mk)

11.  (a) Anion – CO₃  

  Cation – Cu²⁺  

 (b) Cu²⁺ + 4NH₃ {CuNH₃)₄}²⁺

12.  (a) (i) NH₄NO_3
(s) N₂O_(g) + 2H₂O₍g)

(ii) NH₄NO₃ should not be heated further if the quantity remaining is small because it may

explode

or A mixture of NH₄Cl & KNO₃ can be used instead of NH₄NO₃ leading to double

decomposition taking place safely without explosion

(iii) An hydrous calcium chloride in a u-tube

(iv) Reacts with oxygen to form brown fumes of Nitrogen (IV) Oxide

2N₂O_(g) + O_2(g) 2NO_2(g)

(v) – Has no colour

– Has a slight sweet smell

– Fairly soluble in water

– Denser than air

(b) (i) Provides a large surface area for the absorption of ammonia gas by the water or prevent

“bricking” back of water

(ii) Water would brick back into the hot preparation flask causing it to crack or

break /an explosion can occur

(iii) Red litmus paper would turn to blue, blue litmus paper remains blue   each  

13.  (a) B – ammonia gas 1

  C – nitrogen (II) oxide (NO) 1

  E – water 1  

  F – unreacted gases 1

 (b) The mixture of ammonia and air is passed through heated/ catalyst where ammonia (II) is

oxidized to nitrogen (II) oxide. 1  

(c) Gases are cooled and air passed through heated/ catalyst where ammonia is further

oxidized to nitrogen(IV) oxide. 1

(d) Fractional distillation, ½

Water with a lower boiling point ½ than nitric (V) acid, distills left leaving the

concentrates acid.

14.  a)i) Fractional distillation

ii) Argon  

 b)  A  Sulphur

B  Ammonia gas

C  Oteum  

D  Amonium sulphate

 c)  i) Finely divided iron

ii) Vanadium (v) Oxide

 d) Speeds up the rate of reaction by lowering the activation energy

 e) 2NH_3(g) + H₂SO_4(aq) _________ (NH₄)2SO_4(aq)

 f) R.M.M of (NH₄) = 132

Mass of N = 28

% N = ²⁸/₁₃₂ x 100 = 21.212%

 g) Used as a fertilizer  

15.  (a) (i) Fused calcium chloride /Cao (quick lime)

  (ii) To remove carbon (IV) Oxide

  (iii) 4Fe⁺_(s) + 3O_2(g) 3Fe₂O_3(s)

  OR 3Fe_(s) + 2O_2(g) Fe₃O_4(s)

  (iv) Argon/Helium/Neon/Krepton

  (v) Provide very low temperature so that the semen does not decompose /is not destroyed

(b) (i) Concentrated sulphuric acid

  (ii) NaNO_3(s) + H₂SO_4(l) Na₂HSO_4(aq) + HNO_3(aq)

OR 2NaNO₃ + H₂SO_4(l) Na₂SO4 + 2HNO₃

(reject unbalanced chemical equation)

(b) Copper reacts with 50% nitric acid to give nitrogen II Oxide which is colourless. Air oxidizes

Nitrogen II oxide to Nitrogen IV oxide which is brown.

  2NO_(g) + O₂ 2NO_2(g)

  colourless Brown

16.  (a) (i) Nitrogen – Fractional distillation of liquid air –( ½ mk)

Hydrogen – Cracking of alkanes

  -Electrolysis of acidified water

(ii) Temperature – 400^oC – 500^oC

Pressure – 400atm – 500atm

Catalyst – kinely divided iron

(iii) Catalyst P – Nickel

  Gas M – Nitrogen IV oxide

(iv) (a) 2NO_(g) + O_2(g) 2NO_2(g)

(b) NO_2(g) + H₂O_(l)   HNO_2(aq) + HNO_3(aq)

  (v) To a small portion of the nitrate liquid in a test tube add equal amount o freshly prepared

iron (II) sulphate followed by some drops of conc. H₂SO₄ slowly on the sides. If a brown ring forms on the boundary of the two solutions, a nitrate is confirmed.

(vii) – Manufacture of nitrogenous fertilizers

– Manufacture of synthetic fibres e.g nylon

– Manufacture of explosives e.g TNT

– Manufacture of textile dyes

– Manufacture of other acids e.g. phosphoric acid

17.  (a) (i) Nitrogen (I) Oxides.

Rej. Dinitrogen oxides.

  (ii) NH₄ NO_3(s) N₂O_(g) + 2H₂O_(g)

  (iii) The gas is soluble in cold water.  

  (iv) An irritating choking smell of a gas.  

 (b) (i) Platinum wire.  

  (ii) 4NH_3(g) + 5O_2(g) 4NO_(g) + 6H₂O_(g)  

2NO_(g) + O₂ 2NO_2(g)

  (iii)  Nitrogen (I) Oxide Nitrogen (IV) Oxide.  

Colourless.  Reddish brown.

Relights a glowing splint. Extinguishes a glowing splint.

Has a sweet smell. Irritating pungent smell.

Fairly soluble in water. Readily soluble in water.

(Accept any 1 correct comparative)

 (c) (i) It corrodes/reacts with rubber and cork.

  (ii) I) Oxidized : Sulphur /S

Reduced: Nitric (V) acid / HNO_(aq)  

II) It decomposes by heat into NO₂ which dissolves in the acid.

18.  a) Pass air through purifiers to remove dust particles by electrostatic precipitation. Then pass

it through conc. Sodium Hydroxide to absorb CO2. Then through condensers at 25C to

remove water vapour. It is further cooled to liquefy it. The liquefied air is then

fractionally distilled to obtain oxygen at – 183C

 b)  i) X – Ammonia// NH₃

Y- Air  

ii) 4NO_2(g) + 2H₂O_(s) + O_2(g) _________ 4HNO_3(aq)

Accept

2NO_2(g) + H₂O_(l) ______________ HNO_3(aq) + HNO_2(aq)

2HNO_2(aq) + O_2(g) _____________ 2HNO_3(aq)

iii) Through fractional distillation  

iv) HNO_3(aq) + NH_3(g) _________ NH4ND_3(aq)

RMM of NH₃ = 17 RFM of NH₄NO₃ = 80

 If 80g NH₄NO₃ ___________ 17 g

960000 _________   960000 x 17 = 2040kg

80 x 1000

19.   (a) Potassium hydroxide solution

(b) To remove dust particles

(c) Water vapour  Moisture

(d) -183^oC

(e) Fractional distillation of liquid air

(f) Liquid air and passed through fractionating column, where nitrogen with lowest B.P -196^oC

distils out first and liquid oxygen with highest distil out last.
(g) Nitrogen in liquid form is used as a refrigerant e.g. in storing semen for artificial insemination

  – Used as a raw material in Haber process e.t.c

II. Air is a mixture because:

• It contains gases which are not chemically combined
  
• – The gases are not in fixed ratios.
  

20.   HOCL_(aq) + Dye _________ HCL _(aq) + [ Dye + O]

Coloured  Colourless  √

H₂SO_3(aq) + [Dye +O] _________ H₂SO_{4 (aq)} + Dye

Coloured  Colourless

21.  a) Drying agent √ ½ which must be CaO

Method of collection √ – upward delivery

Workabillity √ ½

 b) 2NH₄CL_(g) + Ca(OH)_2(g) ________ CaCL_2(g) + H₂O_(l) + 2NH_3(g)
√

22.  a) Heat

 b) Cu_(g) + N₂O_(g) __________ CuO_(g) + N2_(g)

 c)  – Manufacture of ammonia

– In light bulbs

– As a refrigerant

23.  – At 113^oC consists of S₈ rings that flow easily;

– Darkens due to breaking of S₈ rings and forming long chains consisting of thousands of atoms. The chains also entangle;  

  – The long chains consisting of thousands of atoms. The chains also entangle;

 – The long chains break near b.p. to form shorter one;  

24.  Difference is at the cathode electrode where in concentrated sodium chloride sodium

is deposited while in dilute sodium chloride, hydrogen is liberated, because

25.  (i) 2N₂O_(g) + C_(s) Co_2(g) + 2N_2(g)

 (ii) Ammonium chloride and sodium nitrate

 (iii)The hydroxide ions√1 (Ammonia dissolves forming ammonia hydroxide.(1 mk)

26.  (a)  E – Ammonium chloride  ( ½ mk)

F – Aluminium hydroxide  ( ½ mk)

 (b)   Al₃+ + 3OH^–_(aq) AL(OH)_3(s)    

27.

1. Zinc hydroxide  
   
2. [Zn (NH3)4 ] 2+  
   
3. Zn ²⁺_(aq) + 2OH _(aq) _________ Zn (OH) 2 _(s)
   

28.  a) Plantinum/platinum Rhodium 1

 b) 4NH₃(g) + 5O₂(g) 4NO(g) 1 + 6H₂O(l)

 c) – Fertilizers 1

  – Preparation of Nitrogen (I) oxide.

  – Explosives

29.  Blue ppt1 is formed which dissolves in excess to form a deep blue 1 solution due to

formation of tetra amine Copper (II) ions

30.  (a)   – Finely divided iron impregnated by alumina (Al₂O₃)

– 200 atmosphere pressure

 – Temperature of 450^oC

  b)  – CuO is reduced to Copper metal

 – NH₃ is oxidized to water and nitrogen

31. (a) Colour of copper (II) Oxide changes from black to brown  

(b) (i) Nitrogen /N_2(g)  

(ii) Water/H₂O_(l)