EXPERIMENT
The chemical decomposition reaction can be well illustrated by conducting an experiment using Sodium Nitrate.Sodium Nitrate on heating decomposes to form sodium nitrite and oxygen.
The equation is as follows
Sodium Nitrate \( \to \) Sodium Nitrite + Oxygen \( \uparrow \)
\( 2NaNO_3 \to 2NaNO_2 + O_2 \uparrow \)
Activity: Experiment:
Apparatus:Hard glass test-tube, holder, spirit - lamp
Chemicals:Sodium Nitrate.
Procedure:Take a small quantity of sodium nitrate in a hard glass test - tube and hold it over the spirit - lamp with a test - tube hodler and heat it.
Observation:Hold a burning splinter near the mouth of the test - tube and the splineter burns brightly showing that the evolving gas is Oxygen.
Conclusion:Sodium nitrate is a compound. On heating, it gives out sodium nitrite and oxygen. Sodium nitrite is a compound and Oxygen is an element.
Chemical Equation: Sodium Nitrate \( \to \) Sodium Nitrite + Oxygen \( \uparrow \)
\( 2NaNO_3 \to 2NaNO_2 + O_2 \uparrow \)