Question
Question: In the given figure, the red brown gas evolved is____.  is a white crystalline solid which is soluble in water but is non-combustible at normal temperatures. But when we heat the lead nitrate at above 470∘C it would not melt but decompose into products due to which this compound is used in fireworks.
Heating of lead nitrate produces lead monoxide, nitrogen dioxide gas and oxygen gas as products. The reaction is given as,
2Pb(NO3)2→2PbO+4NO2+O2
It is a decomposition reaction in which a compound breaks down into two or more simpler compounds i.e. lead nitrate decomposes to give lead monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen as the products.
Here, lead oxide is the residue which is yellowish solid in colour when hot and white in colour when cold. The oxygen gas is a colourless gas liberated along with lead oxide and nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas is the reddish brown gas liberated which is toxic.
Thus, the reddish brown gas is nitrogen dioxide gas.
Note: Do note that the compound here i.e. lead nitrate is carcinogenic for humans causing most probably kidney disorders. Thus, the reaction carried out must be limited and proper precautions must be taken while performing.