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Question

Number of electrons (x) involved in the following reaction is :
\(N \equiv N+ 8H^{+}+x \rightarrow 2N H^{3}+ H_{2}\)

The correct answer is
8

Nitrogen Reaction Electron Transfer Analysis

The question asks us to determine the number of electrons, represented by 'x', involved in the following chemical reaction:

$ N \equiv N + 8H^{+} + x \rightarrow 2NH^{3} + H_{2} $

This reaction involves a change in the oxidation state of nitrogen, indicating a redox process. To find 'x', we need to analyze the oxidation states of nitrogen before and after the reaction.

Nitrogen Oxidation State Analysis

Initial Oxidation State of Nitrogen:

In the reactant side, we have diatomic nitrogen, \( N \equiv N \). In its elemental form, the oxidation state of nitrogen is 0.

Final Oxidation State of Nitrogen:

On the product side, nitrogen is present in ammonia, \( NH^3 \). In ammonia, hydrogen typically has an oxidation state of +1. Let the oxidation state of nitrogen be \( N_{ox} \).

$ N_{ox} + 3 \times (+1) = 0 $

Solving for \( N_{ox} \):

$ N_{ox} = -3 $

So, the oxidation state of nitrogen in \( NH^3 \) is -3.

Calculating Electrons Transferred (x)

The reaction shows \( N \equiv N \) converting to \( 2NH^3 \). This means we are looking at the transformation of one molecule of \( N_2 \) into two molecules of \( NH_3 \).

The change in oxidation state for one nitrogen atom is from 0 to -3. This represents a gain of 3 electrons per nitrogen atom.

$ N(0) \rightarrow N(-3) \quad (\text{Gain of } 3e^-) $

Since the reactant molecule is \( N_2 \) (containing two nitrogen atoms), and it forms \( 2NH_3 \) (also containing two nitrogen atoms in total), the total number of electrons gained during this reduction process is:

$ \text{Total electrons gained} = (\text{Number of N atoms}) \times (\text{Electrons gained per N atom}) $

$ \text{Total electrons gained} = 2 \times 3 $

$ \text{Total electrons gained} = 6 $

The variable 'x' in the reaction equation represents the total number of electrons transferred. Therefore, \( x = 6 \).

Conclusion

The number of electrons involved in the reduction of \( N_2 \) to \( NH_3 \) in this reaction is 6. Thus, \( x = 6 \).

Checking the Options:

  • Option 1: 8
  • Option 2: 6
  • Option 3: 4
  • Option 4: 10

Based on our calculation, the correct value for 'x' is 6.

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Important Questions from Redox Reactions

  1. Nitric acid is reduced to nitrogen dioxide in which of the following reactions?

  2. In reaction, 2Na2S2O3 + I2 → A + 2NaI; A will be _________.

  3. The role of H3PO4 in the estimation of Fe(II) with K2Cr2O7 using diphenylamine sulphonate as indicator is to

  4. In the following redox reaction, which compound is acting as a reducing agent ?
    $N_2H_4 + 2H_2O_2 \rightarrow N_2 + 4H_2O$
  5. Consider the following pairs of reactions and properties :
    ReactionsProperties
    I. $\text{Fe} \, (s) + 2\text{HCl} \, (aq) \rightarrow \text{FeCl}_2 \, (aq) + \text{H}_2 \, (g)$$\text{Fe}$ is reductant
    II. $\text{Zn} \, (s) + \text{CuSO}_4 \, (aq) \rightarrow \text{ZnSO}_4 \, (aq) + \text{Cu} \, (s)$$\text{Cu}$ is being reduced
    III. $\text{Br}_2 \, (l) + 2\text{I}^- \, (aq) \rightarrow 2\text{Br}^- \, (aq) + \text{I}_2 \, (s)$$\text{Br}_2$ is reductant
    IV. $\text{CH}_4 \, (g) + 2\text{O}_2 \, (g) \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 \, (g) + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \, (l)$$\text{C}$ atom in $\text{CH}_4$ is oxidized

    Which of the above pairs are correct?
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