To prepare pure nitrogen gas in the laboratory, a common method involves the reaction of NH_4Cl (ammonium chloride) and NaNO_2 (sodium nitrite). The chemical equation for this reaction is:
NH_4Cl + NaNO_2 \rightarrow N_2(g) + 2H_2O + NaCl
Let's break down this reaction to understand why it produces pure nitrogen gas:
- Reactants: NH_4Cl and NaNO_2 are the reactants. When these two compounds are heated together, they undergo a decomposition reaction.
- Decomposition of Ammonium Nitrite: The mixture of NH_4Cl and NaNO_2 decomposes to form nitrogen gas, water, and sodium chloride. The nitrogen gas released is colorless and odorless.
- Products: The products of this reaction are nitrogen gas (N_2), water (H_2O), and sodium chloride (NaCl). Among these, only nitrogen is a gaseous product, making it easy to collect and purify.
The other options presented do not efficiently yield nitrogen gas:
- NH_4OH + NaCl: This combination does not effectively produce nitrogen gas.
- NH_4NO_3 + NaCl: This mixture also does not readily produce nitrogen gas upon heating.
- NH_4Cl + NaOH: This combination typically produces ammonia gas and water, not nitrogen.
Therefore, the correct choice is NH_4Cl + NaNO_2 for preparing pure nitrogen gas in the laboratory.