When you take Lead nitrate powder in a boiling tube and heat it, you will observe the emission of brown fumes that are of _____________________.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Nitrogen dioxide.
When lead nitrate (Pb(NO₃)₂) powder is heated in a boiling tube, it undergoes thermal decomposition. This reaction produces lead(II) oxide (PbO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and oxygen (O₂) gas. The brown fumes observed are due to the release of nitrogen dioxide, which is a reddish-brown gas. The decomposition reaction is as follows:
2Pb(NO₃)₂ → 2PbO + 4NO₂ + O₂
The brown color of the fumes is a characteristic of nitrogen dioxide, which is formed when the nitrate compound breaks down. The gas is toxic and should be handled with care.