Answer to Question #127934 in General Chemistry for Nicole Xie

Question

A red solid compound is heated in a test tube. The reaction produces a colourless gas that relights a glowing splint. After the test tube cools, a silver-coloured liquid metal element remains.

K/U T/I C

(a) What type of chemical reaction occurred in the test tube? Why?

(b) Identify the gaseous product.

(c) Identify the metal.

(d) Name and write the chemical formula for the red solid compound. (Use the higher ionic

charge of the metal).

(e) Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction.

Answer 1

a) It is decomposition reaction. Mercury(II) oxide (HgO) decomposes when heated to oxygen (O₂) and metallic mercury, since the compound HgO is not thermally stable.

b) Gaseous product is oxygen, O₂.

c) The metal is mercury, Hg.

d) The red solid compound is mercury(II) oxide, HgO.

e) 2HgO = 2Hg + O₂