Question:

Which one of the following nitrates does not give the corresponding metallic oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen on heating?

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Alkali metal nitrates except lithium usually form nitrites on heating, not metal oxides.
Updated On: Apr 29, 2026
  • Lithium nitrate
  • Beryllium nitrate
  • Magnesium nitrate
  • Calcium nitrate
  • Potassium nitrate
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The Correct Option is

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Most metal nitrates decompose on heating to give metal oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen. However, alkali metal nitrates, except lithium nitrate, give nitrites and oxygen.

Step 1:
General decomposition of many nitrates.
\[ M(NO_3)_2 \rightarrow MO + NO_2 + O_2 \]

Step 2:
Exception for alkali metal nitrates.
Potassium nitrate decomposes as: \[ 2KNO_3 \rightarrow 2KNO_2 + O_2 \] It does not give potassium oxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Step 3:
Choose the exception.
Hence, potassium nitrate is the correct answer.
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