Question

Lithium nitrate and sodium nitrate, when heated separately, respectively, give :

• A. LiNO₂ and NaNO₂
• B. Li₂O and Na₂O
• C. Li₂O and NaNO₂
• D. LiNO₂ and Na₂O

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

 To solve the question regarding the decomposition of lithium nitrate (LiNO₃) and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), we need to understand the thermal decomposition reactions of these metal nitrates.

1. Lithium Nitrate (LiNO₃):
   • On heating, lithium nitrate decomposes to form lithium oxide (Li₂O), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and oxygen (O₂). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:

4\text{LiNO}_3 \rightarrow 2\text{Li}_2\text{O} + 4\text{NO}_2 + \text{O}_2

• Thus, lithium nitrate yields lithium oxide (Li₂O) on heating.

1. Sodium Nitrate (NaNO₃):
   • When sodium nitrate is heated, it decomposes primarily to form sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) and oxygen (O₂). The reaction is:

2\text{NaNO}_3 \rightarrow 2\text{NaNO}_2 + \text{O}_2

• Thus, sodium nitrate yields sodium nitrite (NaNO₂).

Given these chemical decompositions, the correct option is that lithium nitrate (LiNO₃) and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), when heated separately, produce Li₂O and NaNO₂ respectively.

Correct Answer: Li₂O and NaNO₂