A non-metal A which is the largest constituent of air, when heated with H2 in 1:3 ratio in the presence of catalyst (Fe) gives a gas B. On heating with O2, it gives an oxide C. If this oxide is passed into water in the presence of air, it gives an acid D which acts as a strong oxidizing agent.

(i) Identify A, B, C and D.


(ii) To which group of the periodic table, does this non-metal belongs?

The non-metal which is the largest constituent of air is Nitrogen.

When nitrogen is heated with hydrogen in the ratio of 1:3 in presence of iron as a catalyst we get ammonia as the product. This process of ammonia production is called as Haber’s process. The reaction is as follows:


N2 + 3H2 2NH3


When nitrogen is heated with oxygen, it gives nitrogen dioxide. The reaction is as follows:


N2 + 2O2 2NO2


When nitrogen dioxide is dissolved in water, it gives nitric acid which is a strong oxidizing agent. The reaction is as follows:


3NO2 + H2O 2HNO3 + NO


(i) Therefore from above reactions we can easily state that,


A is Nitrogen


B is Ammonia


C is Nitrogen Dioxide


D is Nitric Acid


(ii) The non-metal that is nitrogen belongs to the group 15 of the periodic table.


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