When lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) crystals are heated in a dry test tube, they decompose to form lead oxide (PbO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and oxygen (O2). The brown-colored gas that evolved in this reaction is nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
The balanced chemical equation for this decomposition reaction is:
Lead Nitrate is Used For
Lead nitrate is a chemical that has some important uses, but it’s also dangerous.
- Making things stronger: It helps keep plastics like nylon and polyester from breaking when they get hot.
- Taking photos: It used to be used in special kinds of photo paper.
- Finding gold: It helps find gold in rocks and dirt.
- Making other chemicals: Scientists use it to create other chemicals in labs.
Other FAQs
→ The brown-colored gas is nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
→ Lead nitrate decomposes to form lead(II) oxide (PbO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and oxygen (O₂).
→ Balanced chemical equation: 2Pb(NO₃)₂(s) → 2PbO(s) + 4NO₂(g) + O₂(g)
→ The yellow residue is lead(II) oxide (PbO), which is formed as a product of decomposition.
→ Yes, NO₂ is a toxic gas that can cause breathing problems and contribute to air pollution.
→ It is a thermal decomposition reaction because heat is used to break down the compound.
→ NO₂ reacts with water in the atmosphere to form nitric acid (HNO₃), which leads to acid rain.
→ NO₂ can easily react with other substances by accepting electrons, making it a strong oxidizer.
→ Yes, it is often demonstrated in chemistry labs to study thermal decomposition of metal nitrates.