Describe using equations the action of heat on the following nitrates. Copper (11) nitrate Silver nitrate Sodium nitrate? ?

When heated, nitrates undergo thermal decomposition to form metal oxides, nitrogen dioxide gas, and oxygen gas. This can be represented by the following equations:

1. Copper (II) nitrate:
2Cu(NO3)2(s) → 2CuO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)

2. Silver nitrate:
2AgNO3(s) → 2Ag(s) + 2NO2(g) + O2(g)

3. Sodium nitrate:
2NaNO3(s) → 2NaNO2(s) + O2(g)

In each case, the metal oxide is a solid, the nitrogen dioxide gas is a brown gas, and the oxygen gas is a colorless gas.

Copper(II) Nitrate

- Decomposition:
- Cu(NO3)2(s) → CuO(s) + 2NO2(g) + 1/2O2(g)

Silver Nitrate

- Decomposition:
- 2AgNO3(s) → 2Ag(s) + 2NO2(g) + O2(g)

Sodium Nitrate

- No significant decomposition occurs at normal temperatures.