When MnO2 and H2SO4 is added to a salt (A), the greenish yellow gas liberated as salt (A) is :
Correct Answer :
NH4Cl
Solution :
The correct option is NH4Cl.
When manganese dioxide (MnO2) and concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are added to a chloride salt like ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), chlorine gas (Cl2) is liberated. Chlorine is a characteristic greenish-yellow gas with a suffocating smell.
Let's understand the step-by-step reactions that take place:
1. The ammonium chloride salt reacts with sulfuric acid to produce hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas:
NH4Cl + H2SO4 → NH4HSO4 + HCl
2. The manganese dioxide (MnO2), which is a strong oxidizing agent, then oxidizes the hydrogen chloride (HCl) to release chlorine gas:
MnO2 + 4 HCl → MnCl2 + 2 H2O + Cl2 ↑ (greenish-yellow gas)
3. The combined overall chemical reaction is:
MnO2 + 2 H2SO4 + 2 NH4Cl → MnSO4 + (NH4)2SO4 + 2 H2O + Cl2 ↑
Let's analyze the behavior of the other options under similar conditions to verify:
• NaBr: Reaction of a bromide salt with MnO2 and H2SO4 liberates bromine (Br2) gas, which is a reddish-brown vapor.
• CaI2: Reaction of an iodide salt with MnO2 and H2SO4 liberates iodine (I2) gas, which is a violet vapor.
• KNO3: Reaction of a nitrate salt with H2SO4 yields nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas, which is also a reddish-brown gas.
Consequently, only the chloride salt, NH4Cl, yields the characteristic greenish-yellow chlorine gas.
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