How to test calcium nitride.? ( ca3n2)
when calcium reacts with nitrogen , Calcium nitride is formed. How can we test that the product formed is calcium nitride?
How advanced is this course? I don't think any of the following answers will do because I assume this is a beginning course; however,
1. Determine the crystal structure by x-ray crystallography.
2. Some information can be obtained by infrared spectroscopy.
3. Determine the decomposition temperature, then trap the components and analyze them to see if they are Ca and N2.
As I said, these are not freshman type answers but I couldn't think of any freshman answers and you've had this problem up for more than a day or two. #2 is the easiest of the three but what you get from that is limited information.
Close and I thought of that at the beginning; however, I don't think that PROVES it is Ca3N2. It gives some strong hints but I don't think it proves it. For example, Mg3N2 will do all of what you describe, too.
Mg3N2 reacts with H2O to form Mg(OH)2 which is highly alkaline and gives off NH3. Even with the extra tests you show to prove the presence of NH3 (odor included and few can miss that) you don't have anything to show that it is Ca(OH)2 and not Mg(OH)2 or some other metal hydroxide. And that's only part of it. What about having a mixture of Ca3N2 and Mg3N2? Wait, what that means, I think, is at the least you must have an elemental analysis showing %Ca and %N2. In fact, that may be the answer because you talk about elemental analysis and work problems in freshman chemistry on that topic of empirical formula all the time. I would go with that answer. Perform an elemental analysis and determine the empirical formula. And there wouldn't be anything to stop you from using your procedure and quantitatively determining NH3 (bubble the NH3 into water and titrate it with standard acid) and Ca(OH)2 (titrate it with standard acid), convert NH3 to N and convert Ca(OH)2 to Ca, then determine the empirical formula of CaxNy. :-)
I would go with determining the empirical formula as the answer to the problem.
Sorry sir , But I didn't get you. I am just a 9th grade student and don't know about empirical formula and all. Can you just tell me sir what I need to do. please sir
You may be just a 9th grade student but from what you wrote above you know a good bit of the chemistry involved. You determine the percent composition (meaning determine %Ca and %N) and use those numbers to calculate the empirical formula. 9th grade chemistry does that all the time. You may or may not have had it yet but you will before the semester is over. Here are typical You would analyze the compound and would find 81.1% Ca and 18.9% N. Then you take a 100 g sample which gives you
81.1g Ca and
18.9 g N.
Convert to mols with mols = grams/molar mass.
mols Ca = 81.1/40.1 = 2.02
mols N = 18.9/14 = 1.35
Now find the ratio of the elements to each other. The easy way to do that is to divide both numbers by the smaller number; i.e.,
Ca = 2.01/1.35 = 1.5
N = 1.35/1.35 = 1.00
That the whole number ratio of 3Ca to 2 N so the formula is Ca3N2.
Thank you sir for that.But how do we prove that the product formed is calcium nitride. I didn't get that..
To test the presence of calcium nitride (Ca3N2), you can perform a simple test involving the reaction of the compound with water. Here are the steps:
1. Start by obtaining a small sample of the calcium nitride compound (Ca3N2). Ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood, as ammonia gas may be released during the reaction.
2. Take the sample of calcium nitride and place it in a test tube or a small container.
3. Carefully add a small amount of water to the test tube that contains the calcium nitride. You can use a dropper or a pipette to add the water slowly.
4. Observe the reaction that occurs when the water and calcium nitride come into contact. Calcium nitride reacts with water to produce calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and ammonia gas (NH3).
5. The production of ammonia gas is a characteristic reaction that confirms the presence of calcium nitride. Ammonia gas has a distinct odor, so you may smell it during the reaction. Be cautious, as ammonia gas can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. It is advisable to perform this test in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood.
By observing the production of ammonia gas and verifying its characteristic odor, you can confirm that the compound being tested is calcium nitride. It is important to note that proper safety precautions should be followed while conducting any chemical tests.
Hey thank you.. Dr.Bob222 Sir . Can we do it like this :
take calcium nitride in a beaker and add water. When water reacts with calcium nitride, Calcium hydroxide and ammonia gas is formed. Ammonia is collected by the upward delivery of air. Ammonia has a sharp pungent smell. Ammonia gas will turn moist litmus paper from red to blue,
and moist universal indicator paper to blue.
It is alkaline in water, pH = 11.5. Thus , If ammonia gas is formed, it proves that the product is calcium nitride.??? Is this ok Bob Sirr