Question:medium

Which of the following does not give oxygen on heating ?

Updated On: May 7, 2026
  • $\ce{ (NH_4)_2Cr_2O_7 }$
  • $\ce{KClO_3 } $
  • $\ce{ Zn(ClO_3)_2} $
  • $\ce{K_2Cr_2O_7 } $
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To determine which compound does not give oxygen on heating, we need to examine the decomposition reactions of each compound listed in the options. Let's analyze each option one by one:

  1. $\ce{(NH_4)_2Cr_2O_7}$ (Ammonium dichromate): On heating, ammonium dichromate decomposes in a characteristic exothermic reaction known as the "volcano reaction," which primarily produces nitrogen gas ($\ce{N_2}$) and water ($\ce{H2O}$), along with chromium(III) oxide ($\ce{Cr2O3}$). The reaction is as follows: $$\ce{(NH_4)_2Cr_2O_7 (s) \rightarrow N_2 (g) + 4 H_2O (g) + Cr_2O_3 (s)}$$ Thus, it does not produce oxygen gas.
  2. $\ce{KClO_3}$ (Potassium chlorate): When heated, potassium chlorate decomposes to produce potassium chloride and oxygen gas. The reaction is: $$\ce{2 KClO_3 (s) \rightarrow 2 KCl (s) + 3 O_2 (g)}$$ This compound does produce oxygen gas.
  3. $\ce{Zn(ClO_3)_2}$ (Zinc chlorate): When zinc chlorate is heated, it decomposes to form zinc chloride and oxygen gas. The reaction can be represented as: $$\ce{Zn(ClO_3)_2 (s) \rightarrow ZnCl_2 (s) + 3 O_2 (g)}$$ This compound also produces oxygen gas.
  4. $\ce{K_2Cr_2O_7}$ (Potassium dichromate): Potassium dichromate, similarly to ammonium dichromate, upon heating does not decompose to produce oxygen gas. Instead, if it decomposes, it typically results in the formation of potassium chromate, chromium(III) oxide, and sometimes releases oxygen, but it is not straightforward like chlorates. $$\ce{4 K_2Cr_2O_7 (s) \rightarrow 4 K_2CrO_4 (s) + 2 Cr_2O_3 (s) + 3 O_2 (g)}$$ Hence, under standard conditions, the primary consideration here would involve significant heating under controlled conditions to possibly get oxygen.

Thus, based on the above analysis, $\ce{(NH_4)_2Cr_2O_7}$ is the compound that does not give oxygen gas on heating. The correct answer is: $\ce{(NH_4)_2Cr_2O_7}$.

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