Question

A non-metal A which is the largest constituent of air, when heated with H₂ in 1:3 ratio in the presence of catalyst (Fe) gives a gas B. On heating with O₂, it gives an oxide C. If this oxide is passed into water in the presence of air, it gives an acid D which acts as a strong oxidizing agent. 

(i) Identify A, B, C and D. 

(ii) To which group of the periodic table, does this non-metal belongs?

Answer 1

The non-metal which is the largest constituent of air is Nitrogen. 

When nitrogen is heated with hydrogen in the ratio of 1:3 in presence of iron as a catalyst we get ammonia as the product. This process of ammonia production is called as Haber’s process. 

The reaction is as follows: 

N2 + 3H₂→ 2NH₃ 

When nitrogen is heated with oxygen, it gives nitrogen dioxide.

The reaction is as follows: 

N2 + 2O₂→ 2NO₂ 

When nitrogen dioxide is dissolved in water, it gives nitric acid which is a strong oxidizing agent. 

The reaction is as follows: 

3NO₂ + H₂O → 2HNO₃ + NO 

(i) Therefore from above reactions we can easily state that, 

A is Nitrogen 

B is Ammonia 

C is Nitrogen Dioxide 

D is Nitric Acid 

(ii) The non-metal that is nitrogen belongs to the group 15 of the periodic table.