Chapter–9: Ammonia and Nitric Acid

2011
1. What would you observe in each of the following cases?
(i) Ammonium hydroxide is first added in small quantity and then in excess in a solution of copper sulphate.
(ii) Copper is heated with concentrated nitric acid in a hard glass test tube.
(iii) Water is added to the product formed, when aluminium is burnt in the jar of nitrogen.
Ans. (i) When treated with small amount of ammonium hydroxide, a bluish white precipitate is formed. This precipitate
dissolves in excess of ammonium hydroxide to form deep blue colouration.
(ii) At once reddish brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide gas are evolved. Gradually the copper dissolves in concentrated
nitric acid to from greenish blue solution of copper (II) oxide.
(iii) The product formed by burning aluminium and nitrogen is aluminium nitride. The aluminium nitride reacts briskly
with water with the evolution of ammonia gas, which has a sharp smell and brings tears to the eyes.
2. The diagram given alongside shows an experimental setup for the laboratory
preparation of pungent smelling gas. The gas is alkaline in nature.
(i) Name the gas collected in the gas jar.
(ii) Write the balanced equation for above preparation.
(iii) How is the gas being collected?
(iv) Name the drying agent used.
(v) How will you find that jar is full of gas?
Ans. (i) The gas collected is ammonia.
(ii) 2NH4Cl(s) + Ca(OH)2(s) heat  → CaCl2(s) + 2H2O(g) + 2NH3(g)
(iii) The gas being lighter is collected by the downward displacement of
air.
(iv) Quick lime(CaO) is the drying agent.
(v) Hold a glass rod dipped in HCl near the mouth of gas jar. Formation of dense white fumes confirms that it is
filled.
3. Write balanced equations for the following :
(i) Chlorine reacts with excess of ammonia.
(ii) Ferric hydroxide reacts with nitric acid.
Ans. (i) 8NH3(g) + 3Cl2(g)  → 6NH4Cl(s) + N2(g)
(ii) Fe(OH)3(s) + 3HNO3(dil)  → Fe(NO3)3(aq) + 3H2O(l)
4. (i) What is the special features of the apparatus that is used in the laboratory preparation of nitric acid?
(ii) Why should the temperature of reaction mixture of nitric acid not be allowed to rise above 200°C?
Ans. (i) The apparatus is all glass as nitric acid vapour is highly corrosive.
(ii) If the temperature rises above 200oC, sodium sulphate is formed, which partially fuse in glass apparatus. Thus, glass
apparatus becomes useless for further use.
2012
1. (i) Name the gas produced when excess of ammonia reacts with chlorine.
(ii) Name the gas produced when copper reacts with concentrated nitric acid.
Ans. (i) Nitrogen gas
(ii) Nitrogen dioxide gas
2. (i) State your observation when zinc nitrate crystals are heated strongly.
(ii) Explain, why is iron rendered passive with fuming nitric acid.
Ans. (i) Reddish brown gas (nitrogen dioxide) is evolved. The residue is yellow when hot, but changes to white colour

268 A New Approach to I.C.S.E. Chemistry for Class X

 on cooling. It partly fuses in glass and stains it yellow.
(ii) Fuming nitric acid is a powerful oxidising agent. Thus, it covers the surface of iron with ferric oxide, which stops
further reaction. Thus, the iron is rendered passive.
3. Write balanced equations for the following reactions
(i) Dilute nitric acid and copper carbonate
(ii) Ammonia and oxygen in the presence of catalyst.
Ans. (i) CuCO3(s) + 2HNO3 (dil) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
(ii) 4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) catalyst
→ 4NO(g) + 6H2O(l)
4. The following questions are based on the preparation of ammonia gas in the laboratory :
(i) Explain why is ammonium nitrate not used in the preparation of ammonia gas?
(ii) Name the compound normally used as drying agent during the process.
(iii) How is ammonia gas collected?
(iv) Explain, why is it not collected over water?
Ans. (i) Ammonium nitrate on heating decomposes explosively to form nitrous oxide gas and water and hence, cannot be
used in the preparation of ammonia gas.
(ii) Quick lime is used for drying ammonia gas.
(iii) Ammonia is collected by the downward displacement of air from the gas jar.
(iv) Ammonia gas is extremely soluble in water. It reacts with water to form ammonium hydroxide.

2013
1.(a) Identify the gas evolved when few crystal of potassium nitrate are heated in a hard glass test tube.
(b) Give chemical test to distinguish between calcium nitrate solution and zinc nitrate solution.
(c) Choose the most appropriate statement :
Nitrogen gas can be obtained by heating :
(A) ammonium nitrate (B) ammonium nitrite
(C) magnesium nitride (D) ammonium chloride
Ans. (a) Oxygen gas
(b) To each of the solution add first sodium hydroxide solution in small amount and then in excess. In case of calcium
nitrate a fine white precipitate is formed, which does not dissolve in excess of sodium hydroxide. In case of zinc
nitrate a gelatin like white precipitate is formed which dissolves in excess of sodium hydroxide.
(c) (B) Ammonium nitrite
2. (a) Give balanced equations for each of the following:
(i) Reduction of hot copper(II) oxide to copper using ammonia gas.
(ii) Oxidation of carbon with concentrated nitric acid.
(b) Copy and complete the following table relating to important industrial process:
Name of the process Temperature Catalyst Equation for the catalyzed reaction
Haber’s process ........................... ............................... ................................................
Ans. (a) (i) 3CuO(s) + 2NH3(g) → 3Cu(s) + 3H2O(l) + N2(g)
(ii) C(s) + 4HNO3(conc) → 2H2O(l) + 4NO2(g) + CO2(g)
(b) Temperature Catalyst Equation for catalysed reaction
450° C
450°C Iron containing N2 + 3H2 
 
 2NH3
Fe + Mo
molybdenum

2014
1. (a) Fill in the blanks from the choices given within brackets :
(i) Ammonia gas is collected by -------- (an upward displacement of air / a downward displacement of water /
a downward displacement of air)
(ii) Cold, dilute nitric acid reacts with copper to form ---------- (Hydrogen / nitrogen dioxide / nitric oxide.)

Chapter-wise Question Bank 269

 (b) State your observations :
(i) When excess of sodium hydroxide is added to calcium nitrate solution.
(ii) When calcium hydroxide is heated with ammonium chloride crystals.
(c) (i) Name the other ion formed when ammonia dissolves in water.
(ii) Give one test that can be used to detect the presence of the ion produced.
(d) Give the balanced equations for the following :
(i) Laboratory preparation of nitric acid.
(ii) Action of heat on a mixture of copper and concentrated nitric acid.
(e) State the condition required for the following :
Catalytic oxidation of ammonia to nitric oxide.
Ans. (a) (i) a downward displacement of air.
(ii) nitric oxide
(b) (i) A slightly milky solution is formed.
(ii) A colourless gas ammonia is formed which fumes strongly in moist air.
(c) (i) Hydroxyl ion (OH–)
(ii) It forms dirty green precipitate with ferrous sulphate solution.
< 200°C
(d) (i) KNO3(s) + H2SO4 (conc.)  → KHSO4(aq) + HNO3(g)
∆
(ii) Cu(s) + 4HNO3(conc.) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
(e) (i) The mixture of ammonia gas and oxygen gas are passed over heated platinum when nitric oxide is formed.
Pt − 750°C
4NH3 ( g ) + 5O 2 ( g )  → 4NO(g ) + 6H 2 O(g )

2015
12. (a) (i) What is your observation when ammonia gas is burnt in an atmosphere of excess of oxygen.
(ii) Identify an acid which is prepared by the catalytic oxidation of ammonia.
(b) Give balanced chemical equations for each of the following :
(i) Lab preparation of ammonia using an ammonium salt.
(ii) Reaction of ammonia with excess chlorine.
(iii) Reaction of ammonia with sulphuric acid.
(c) Explain the following :
(i) Dilute nitric acid is generally considered a typical acid but not so in its reaction with metals.
(ii) Concentrated nitric acid appears yellow when it is left standing in a glass bottle.
(iii) An all glass apparatus is used in the laboratory preparation of nitric acid.
Ans. (a) (i) Ammonia gas burns with pale blue flame to form nitrogen gas and steamy fumes of water.
(ii) Nitric acid.
CaO
(b) (i) 2NH4Cl(s) + Ca(OH)2(s)  ∆
→ 2NH3(g) + 2CaCl2(s) + 2H2O(l).
(ii) NH3(g) + 3Cl2(g)  → NCl3(l) + 3HCl(g).
(iii) 2NH3(g) + H2SO4(aq)  → (NH4)2SO4(aq).
(c) (i) It is because it does not liberate hydrogen gas when treated with metals. Instead it liberates oxides of nitrogen,
such as nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc., as it is a very powerful oxidising agent.
(ii) Conc. nitric acid on exposure to sunlight, slowly decomposes to form nitrogen dioxide gas which is reddish brown
in colour. Nitrogen dioxide gas redissolves in the nitric acid and imparts it yellow colour.
(iii) Nitric acid is a powerful oxidising agent and hence corrodes rubber or any other kind of stoppers. To avoid
corrosion, we use all glass apparatus.

2016
1. (a) Write balanced chemical equations for each of the following :
(i) Action of warm water on AlN.
(ii) Action of hot and concentrated nitric acid on copper.

270 A New Approach to I.C.S.E. Chemistry for Class X

 (b) Fill in the blanks using the appropriate words given below :
(Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Nitric oxide, Sulphuric acid)
(i) Cold, dilute nitric acid reacts with copper to give ____________.
(ii) Hot, concentrated nitric acid reacts with sulphur to form __________.
Ans. (a) (i) AlN(s) + 3H2O(l) Al(OH)3(s) + NH3 (g)
(ii) Cu(s) + 4HNO3(conc) Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O(l) + 2NO2(g)
(b) (i) Nitric oxide
(ii) Sulphuric acid
2. (a) Name the gas evolved when the following mixtures are heated :
(i) Calcium hydroxide and ammonium chloride
(ii) Sodium nitrite and ammonium chloride
(b) Write balanced chemical equations for each of the following :
(i) When excess of ammonia is treated with chlorine.
(ii) An equation to illustrate the reducing nature of ammonia.
Ans. (a) (i) Ammonia gas
(ii) Nitrogen gas
(b) (i) 8NH3(g) + 3Cl2(g) 6NH4Cl(s) + N2(g).
(ii) 3CuO(s) + 2NH3(g) 3H2O(l) + 3Cu(s) + N2(g).

2017
15. (a) Write a balanced chemical equation for each of the following :
(i) Action of cold and dilute Nitric acid on Copper.
(ii) Reaction of Ammonia with heated copper oxide.
(iii) Laboratory preparation of ammonia from ammonium chloride.
(b) State one relevant observation when Ammonia burns in air.
(c) Give a balanced chemical equation for each of the following :
(i) Action of conc. Nitric acid on Sulphur.
(ii) Catalytic oxidation of Ammonia.
(iii) Laboratory preparation of Nitric acid.
(iv) Reaction of Ammonia with Nitric acid.
(d) Three blank spaces A, B and C are left in the following table. Identify each of them.
Lab preparation of Reactants used Products formed Drying agent Method of collection

NH3 gas A Mg(OH)2, NH3 B C

––––––– ––––––– ––––––
Ans. (a) (i) 3Cu(s) + 8NHO3(dil) → 3Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2NO(g) + 2H2O(l)
Heat
(ii) 3CuO(s) + 2NH3(g)  → 3Cu(s) + 3H2O(l) + N2(g)
CaO
(iii) 2NH4Cl(s) + Ca(OH2)(s) CaCl2(s) + 2H2O(g) + 2NH3(g)
(b) (i) Ammonia gas burns with a pale blue flame forming nitrogen and water vapour.
(c) (i) S(s) + 6HNO3(conc) ∆ H2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) + 6NO2 (g)
catalyst
(ii) 4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)
(iii) KNO3(s) + H2SO4(conc) <170°C
KHSO4(aq) + HNO3(aq)
(iv) NH3(g) + HNO3(dil) NH4NO3(aq)
(d) (i) Reactants are Magnesium nitride and water.
(ii) Drying agent is anhydrous calcium oxide.
(iii) NH3 gas is collected by the downward displacement of air.

2018
16. (a) (i) Write the balanced chemical equation to prepare ammonia gas in the laboratory by using an alkali.
(ii) State why concentrated sulphuric acid is not used for drying ammonia gas.

Chapter-wise Question Bank 271

 (iii) Why is ammonia gas not collected over water?
(b) (i) What is the type of salt formed when the reactants are heated at a suitable temperature for the preparation of
Nitric acid?
(ii) State why for the preparation of Nitric acid, the complete apparatus is made up of glass.
(c) Name the gas that is produced in the following cases :
(i) Sulphur is oxidized by concentrated nitric acid.
(ii) Action of cold and dilute nitric acid on copper.
warm
Ans. (a) (i) 2NH4Cl(s) + Ca(OH)2(s)  → CaCl2(s) + 2H2O(l) + 2NH3(g)
(ii) It is because ammonia gas reacts chemically with conc. sulphuric acid to form ammonium sulphate.
2NH3(g) + H2SO4(conc.) → (NH4)2SO4(aq)
(iii) It is because ammonia gas is extremely soluble in water. However solubility of ammonia gas in hot water vapour is low.
(b) (i) Bisulphate (hydrogen sulphate). It is an acid salt.
(ii) The glass apparatus is purposely used because nitric acid vapours are highly corrosive in nature and corrodes cork,
rubber, etc., if used as stopper.
(c) (i) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2). (ii) Nitric oxide (NO).

2019
17. (a) Fill in the blank with the choices given in bracket :
Ammonia reacts with excess chlorine to form __________ (nitrogen / nitrogen trichloride / ammonium chloride)
(b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the following reaction.
Ammonium hydroxide is added to ferous sulphate solution.
(c) State one observation for each of the following:
(i) Concentrated nitric acid is reacted with sulphur
(ii) Ammonia gas is passed over heated copper (II) oxide
(iii) Lead nitrate is heated strongly in a test tube.
(d) Complete the following equations:
(i) S + conc. HNO3 (ii) Cu + dil NHO3
(e) Identify the substance underlined:
The catalyst used to oxidise ammonia.
(f) Name the gas evolved in the following case: Ammonia reacts with copper oxide.
(g) Study the flow chart given and give balanced equations to represent the reactions A, B and C:
A B
Mg3 N 2  
→ NH 3 ← 
→ NH 4Cl

C
(h) Copy and complete the following table which refers to the industrial method for the preparation of ammonia.

Name of the compound Name of the process Catalytic equation (with the catalyst)
Ammonia (i) _________________ (ii) _________________
Ans. (a) Nitrogen trichloride.
(b) FeSO4(aq) + 2NH4OH(aq) (NH4)2 SO4(aq) + Fe(OH)2(s)
(c) (i) When concentrated nitric acid is reacted with sulphur then dense brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide are observed.
(ii) When ammonia gas is passed over heated copper (II) oxide, then the black colour of copper (II) oxide
gradually changes to metallic reddish brown colour due to the formation of copper metal.
(iii) When lead nitrate is heated strongly in a test tube then white crystalline solid crumbles with a crackling noise
and gives off a reddish brown gas.
∆
(d) (i) S(s) + conc. HNO3 
→ H2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) + 6NO2(g)
(ii) 3Cu(s) + 8HNO3(dil) 3Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 4H2O(l) + 2NO(g)
(e) Platinum
(f) Nitrogen

272 A New Approach to I.C.S.E. Chemistry for Class X

 (g) (A) Mg3N2(s) + 6H2O(l) 3Mg(OH)2(s) + 2NH3(g)
(B) NH3(aq.) + HCl NH4Cl(s)
(vapours)
(Dense white fumes)
∆
(C) NH4Cl(s) 
→ NH3(g) + HCl(g)
(h) (i) Haber's process

(ii) N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g) + 22,400 cals

Catalyst – Finely divided iron (Fe)
Promoter – Molybdenum (Mo)

Chapter-wise Question Bank 273