Question Details

The treatment of galena with HNO3 produces a gas that is

Options

A

paramagnetic

B

bent in geometry

C

an acidic oxide

D

colorless

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

paramagnetic

Option D

colorless

Solution :

The correct options are paramagnetic and colorless.


Step 1: Understand the reaction of galena with nitric acid

Galena is lead(II) sulfide, having the chemical formula PbS. When galena is treated with dilute nitric acid (HNO3), it undergoes an oxidation-reduction reaction to produce lead(II) nitrate, sulfur, nitric oxide (NO) gas, and water.


The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:

3PbS+8HNO33Pb(NO3)2+3S+2NO+4H2O


Thus, the gas produced during this reaction is nitric oxide (NO).


Step 2: Analyze the properties of Nitric Oxide (NO) gas

1. Color: Nitric oxide (NO) is a colorless gas in its gaseous state.

2. Magnetic Property: The total number of valence electrons in NO is 5 (from Nitrogen) + 6 (from Oxygen) = 11 electrons. Because it contains an odd number of electrons, it has one unpaired electron. Molecules with unpaired electrons display paramagnetic behavior. Therefore, NO gas is paramagnetic.

3. Geometry: Being a diatomic molecule, its geometry is linear, not bent.

4. Acid-Base Nature: NO is a neutral oxide, not an acidic oxide.


Conclusion:

The gas produced is NO, which is both paramagnetic and colorless.

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