Question
In an experiment i had a test tube with Ca(NO3)2 solution in it and I added NaOH and a piece of aluminium.
After carefully heating the solution ammonia gas was formed
Can you help me write the equation for the reaction? I don't know the other products just the ammonia gas
thanks for the help
marysia
After carefully heating the solution ammonia gas was formed
Can you help me write the equation for the reaction? I don't know the other products just the ammonia gas
thanks for the help
marysia
Answers
DrBob222
Al + NaOH produces H2 gas + Al(OH)4^- which a relatively standard reaction.
Al, however, is a strong reducing agent and with the NO3^- from the Ca(NO3)2, it can reduce the NO3^- to NH3. (I don't think this is a good reaction for preparing NH3--there are better ways of doing it.) The two half equations are
Al ==> Al^+3 + 3e
8e + NO3^- + 6H2O ==>NH3 + 9OH^-
I think both of those half equations are balanced. You need to multiply the top equation by 8 and the lower equation by 3 and add the two together to obtain the full equation.
Al, however, is a strong reducing agent and with the NO3^- from the Ca(NO3)2, it can reduce the NO3^- to NH3. (I don't think this is a good reaction for preparing NH3--there are better ways of doing it.) The two half equations are
Al ==> Al^+3 + 3e
8e + NO3^- + 6H2O ==>NH3 + 9OH^-
I think both of those half equations are balanced. You need to multiply the top equation by 8 and the lower equation by 3 and add the two together to obtain the full equation.
Marysia
thx :)