Question

Which one of the following processes does not produce dinitrogen?

• A. Thermal decomposition of ammonium dichromate
• B. Thermal decomposition of barium azide
• C. Treating an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride with sodium nitrite
• D. Thermal decomposition of sodium azide
• E. Thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

The thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) does not produce dinitrogen. Instead, it decomposes to form nitrogen oxides like NO₂ and N₂O (nitrous oxide), and water. The other reactions in the options do produce dinitrogen (N₂), typically through the decomposition of azides or by the reaction of ammonium salts with certain reagents.

The correct option is (E) : Thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate

Answer 2

The correct answer is Thermal decomposition of ammonium chloride. Let's go through each option:

• Thermal decomposition of ammonium dichromate: When ammonium dichromate (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇ undergoes thermal decomposition, it produces nitrogen gas (N₂), water (H₂O), and chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃). The equation for this reaction is: 
  (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇ → N₂ + 4H₂O + Cr₂O₃.
• Thermal decomposition of barium azide: The thermal decomposition of barium azide (Ba(N₃)₂) produces nitrogen gas (N₂) and barium oxide (BaO). The reaction is: 
  Ba(N₃)₂ → BaO + 3N₂.
• Treating an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride with sodium nitrite: When ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) reacts with sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) in an aqueous solution, dinitrogen (N₂) is released. The reaction is: 
  NH₄Cl + NaNO₂ → N₂ + NaCl + 2H₂O.
• Thermal decomposition of sodium azide: Sodium azide (NaN₃) decomposes on heating to produce nitrogen gas (N₂) and sodium (Na). The reaction is: 
  2NaN₃ → 2Na + 3N₂.
• Thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate: When ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is heated, it decomposes to produce nitrogen gas (N₂), water (H₂O), and oxygen (O₂). The equation for the decomposition is: 
  NH₄NO₃ → N₂ + 2H₂O + O₂.

Conclusion: All of the reactions listed above except for the thermal decomposition of ammonium chloride produce dinitrogen gas. Therefore, the process that does not produce dinitrogen is the thermal decomposition of ammonium chloride.