Write an equation to show how oxygen can be obtained from sodium trioxonitrate(5)

1 answer

Sodium trioxonitrate(V), commonly known as sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), can be decomposed to produce oxygen gas (O₂) under certain conditions, specifically through heating. The thermal decomposition reaction can be represented by the following balanced equation:

\[ 2 , \text{NaNO}_3 (s) \rightarrow 2 , \text{NaNO}_2 (s) + \text{O}_2 (g) \]

In this reaction, sodium nitrate decomposes into sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) and oxygen gas (O₂). Note that to produce oxygen typically requires higher temperatures, and the rate of formation can depend on various experimental conditions.