Which of the following compounds undergoes/undergo thermal decomposition?
Silver oxide
Understanding Thermal Decomposition
Thermal decomposition is a type of chemical reaction where a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances when heated. The stability of a compound towards heat depends on the strength of the chemical bonds within it.
Thermal Stability of Metal Oxides
The thermal stability of metal oxides is generally related to the position of the metal in the reactivity series. Metal oxides of highly reactive metals (like potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc) are very stable to heat and do not decompose easily. Metal oxides of less reactive metals (like iron, lead, copper) may decompose upon strong heating. Metal oxides of even less reactive metals (like silver, gold, platinum) are very unstable to heat and decompose readily upon heating, sometimes even at relatively low temperatures.
Let's analyze the given options:
- Zinc oxide (ZnO): Zinc is a moderately reactive metal. Zinc oxide is relatively stable to heat and does not decompose readily upon heating under normal conditions. It can melt or sublime at very high temperatures, but typically does not decompose into zinc metal and oxygen by heating alone.
- Silver oxide (Ag2O): Silver is a less reactive metal. Silver oxide is known to be thermally unstable. It decomposes upon heating into silver metal and oxygen gas. The reaction is:
\(2\text{Ag}_2\text{O(s)} \xrightarrow{\Delta} 4\text{Ag(s)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)}\)
- Magnesium oxide (MgO): Magnesium is a highly reactive metal. Magnesium oxide is a very stable compound with a very high melting point. It is extremely resistant to thermal decomposition and does not decompose into magnesium metal and oxygen upon heating.
- Silver oxide and zinc oxide: As discussed above, silver oxide undergoes thermal decomposition, but zinc oxide does not readily decompose upon heating. Therefore, this option is partially correct regarding silver oxide but incorrect regarding zinc oxide.
Based on the analysis, only silver oxide from the given options undergoes thermal decomposition upon heating.
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