CHEMISTRY OF GASES

S/NO GAS REAGENTS/CONDITIONS(me DRYING APPARAT TEST PROPERTI USES

ntion on catalyst where possible) AGENT US ES

1 O2
2 H2
3 CO
4 CO2
5 N2
6 N 2O
7 NO
8 NO2
9 NH3
10 SO2
11 SO3
12 H 2S
13 Cl2
14 HCl
15 CH4
16 C 2H 4
17 C 2H 2

1
NOTE;

 FORM 1………O2 and H2 FORM 3…………………Cl2,N2,N2O,NO,NO2, NH3,SO2,SO3,H2S,HCl,CH4, C2H4,C2H2

 FORM 2………CO and CO2 FORM 4……………CH4, C2H4,C2H6

 Cl2,NO2, NH3,SO2,HCl –Are highly soluble in water and are collected over inverted funnel
 CO,H2,NH3 –they are reducing agents. e.gcan reduce CuO (black) to brown Cu

 H2S,SO2— areoxidizing agents; e.g oxidizes Fe 2+to Fe 3+

 Cl2 ,SO2 –they are bleaching agents; Cl2 ..bleaches by oxidation whereas SO2 bleaches by reduction
 Only CO and H2 are burnt during a reaction because CO is very poisonous and hydrogen explodes when mixed with air
 N2O and O2 – both relight a glowing splint ;(differentiate)
 All gases can be dried using concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid EXCEPT ammonia and hydrogen sulphide .
 Anhydrous calcium chloride is used to dry all gases EXCEPT ammonia
 Coloured gases ;NO2 (brown),Cl2 (green-yellow)
 In preparation of gases that require heating and the gas is being collected over water. The delivery tube should be withdrawn before
heating is stopped to prevent sucking back.
 Gases that can be collected over;
i. Cold water ---------------O2,H2 ,N2,NO,CO,
ii. Warm water-------------H2S, N2O,NO2
iii. Not collected over water……. CO2, NH3, SO2
iv. Upward delivery………….NH3 , H2,
v. Downward delivery………..CO2, NO2
vi. Syringe(if required dry) ………………O2,CO, N2,NO

2
  SO3 –only collected as crystals; reason ___________
 Acidic gases like ;CO2,NO2,Cl2,SO2,H2S cannot be dried using calcium oxide because it is basic and will react the acidic gases
 Ammonia can only be dried using calcium oxide while hydrogen sulphide can only be dried using anhydrous calcium chloride

Preparation, drying, collection and properties of gases

(a)Experimental set ups

3
Side Notes;
 Most gases are prepared using ;round bottom flask, flat-bottom flask or conical flask
 Flat- bottom flask is NOT used if heating is required, it could crack
 Delivery tube MUST be above the level of the reacting chemicals
 Tubes to supply a liquid or solution reagent are;
 Dropping funnel- tap must be closed to prevent the gas from coming out of the flask
 Thistle funnel(has no tap)-must be dipped below the surface of the reacting chemicals prevent the gas from
coming out of the flask
 At least 16 gases can be prepared using the set up above
(b) DRYING GASES
 A gas contain water vapour may be required dried by passing through drying agents like ;
 Anhydrous calcium chloride Concentrated sulphuric acid.
 Calcium oxide.

4
EXAMPLES

5
(c) TESTING METHODOLOGY
(i) Drawn for an incomplete set up and are asked to complete

(ii) Drawn for a set up with some mistakes, hence asked to correct

(iii) Are asked to draw a set up e.g. draw a set up that can be used to prepare and collect dry HCl

(D).THE MAIN GASES TAUGHT AND TESTED ARE LISTED BELOW

1. Preparation of Oxygen gas
 Reagents;
 Sodium peroxide,Na2O2
 Water ,H2O

6
 Equation. Na2O2 +H2O NaOH +H2
 Alternative reagents

 Manganese (IV) oxide, MnO2

 Hydrogen peroxide , H2O2

Equations MnO2
2H2O2 (aq) 2H2O (l) + O2 (g)
Chemical test. Oxygen relights a glowing splint.
Uses…………

Q1.The set up below can be used to prepare oxygen gas. Study it and answer the questions that follow.

7
(a) Identify x?

(b) What property of oxygen makes it possible for it to be collected as shown in the above set up? (1mark)

(c) State two uses of oxygen. (1mark)

Q2.Potassium nitrate liberates oxygen gas when heated. Draw a diagram of a set-up that shows heating of potassium nitrate
and collection of oxygen gas. (3 marks)

2. Preparation of hydrogen gas

 Reagents;
 Zinc, Zn

8
  Hydrogen chloride, HCl

 Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) ZnCl2(aq +H2(g)

Chemical test……
Uses……………………………………………
Q1.Complete the set up to show how the volume of the gas produced can be measured

Q2. The set – up below was used to prepare hydrogen gas

Complete the diagram to show how a dry sample of hydrogen gas can be collected
7-Carbon(iv)oxide –CaCO3/dIl HCl

9
CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) CaCl2 (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2 (g)
Chemical test………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Uses…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Role of Y……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Other substance that can be used……………………………………………………………………………………

10
8.The set-up below was used to collect a dry sample of a gas

Give two reasons why the set-up cannot be used to collect carbon (IV) oxide gas. (2 marks)

9-Carbon(ii)oxide–C2H2O4/conc.H2SO4

11
H2C2O4(s) Conc.H2SO4 CO(g) + CO2 (g) + H2O(l)

Chemical test………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Uses…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Role of KOH………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
10. Preparation of carbo(ii)oxide by reduction of CO2 using charcoal

12
-write an equation for the reaction taking place in the combustion tube
-write an equation for the reaction in the wash bottle

11.-Nitrogen,-isolation from air or heating amixture of sodiumnitrite and ammoniumchloride

Chemical equation NH4Cl (s) + NaNO2(s) NaCl (g)+ NH4NO2 (s)

Chemical equation NH4NO2 (s) N2 (g) + H2O (l)

15 Study the set-up below and answer the questions that follow.

13
(a) Write an equation for the reaction between ammonia and copper (II) oxide.

(b) During the experiment, the colour of the contents in the water trough changed. State the colour change observed and give
an explanation. (2 marks)

16.The isolation of nnitrogen

water

Heat
Tube P
Nitrogen gas

Solid Q
Aqueous sodium
hydroxide
-Name solid Q.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
-equation for reaction in combustion tube…………………………………………………………………………………………….

17.A student used the set up below to prepare a sample of nitrogen gas.

14
(a) State the function of potassium hydroxide in the set up. (1 mark)

(b) Give a suitable metal M for use in the combustion tube.

(c) Give a reason why the nitrogen gas obtained is not pure. (1 mark)

18.The set-up below shows how nitrogen gas is prepared in the laboratory.

15
(a) Describe how nitrogen gas is formed in the flask. (2 marks)

(b) Nitrogen is inert. State one use of the gas based on this property. (1 mark)

19.The set-up in Figure 4 can be used to prepare nitrogen(II) oxide. Use it to answer the questions that follow.

(b) When the gas jar containing nitrogen(II) oxide is exposed to air, a brown colour is observed. Explain. (1 mark)

(c) Write an equation for the reaction which occurred in the flask. (1 mark)

20.Isolation of nitrogen from air

Zinc W

Water 
in
Hea
Aspirato

Potassium
Water
hydroxide solution
16
(i) Complete the diagram to show how nitrogen gas is collected. (1mk)

(ii).State the role of the following:

I Water entering the aspirator. (1mk

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

II Potassium hydroxide solution. (1mk)

..............................................................................................................................................

(iii) Write a chemical equation for the reaction that takes place in combustion tube W. (1mk)

……………………………………………………………………………………………
(iv) Nitrogen obtained using the above set-up is not pure. Name one major impurity present.

..............................................................................................................................................
7-Nitrogen(iv)oxide- Cu/Con HNO3

Cu(s) + 4HNO3(aq) 2H2O (l)+2NO 2(g) +Cu(NO3)2(aq)

8.-N2O- heating of ammoniumnitrate

NH4NO3(s) 2H2O (l) + N2O (g)

9- -Ammonia-Ca(OH)2 /NH4Cl

17
Ca (OH)2(s) + NH4 Cl(s) CaCl2 (aq) + H2O(l)+ 2NH3(g)

Chemical test……………………………………………………………………………………
Uses……………………………………………………………………………………………………
-Why apparatus are slanding

-Why anhydrous calciumchloride cannot be used to dry the gas

10-Nitric (v)acid(lab preparation-KNO3/conc H2SO4

Glass retort
Tap water

Sodium nitrate Nitric acid

Liquid R

Heat

Give the name of liquid R………………………………………………………………….

KNO3(s) + H2SO4(l) KHSO4(s) + HNO3(l)

18
Role of cold water……………………………………………………………………
Why glass apparatus are used……………………………………………………………
Why it appears yellow………………………………………………………………………..
Stored in dark bottles………………………………………………………………………..
Uses…………………………………………………………………………………………………
The diagram below shows the preparation of nitric acid.

Cold water

Conc.
Liquid B
H2SO4
Solid A
Heat

a) Name solid A
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Under what conditions does sulphuric acid react with solid A
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) What is the colour of liquid B

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
d) What is the purpose of cold water
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

19
 (iii) Give an equation for the formation of the brown gas
……………………………………………………………………………..
(iv) Give two uses of the nitric acid. (1mk)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
11-Hydrogenchloride – NaCl/conc H2S04
Concentrated
sulphuric(vi) acid

Sodium
Chloride
Complete the set-up to show how a dry sample of hydrogen chloride can be collected

NaCl(s) + H2SO4(l) NaHSO4(aq) + HCl(g)

Chemical test…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Uses……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

12.The set-up below was used to prepare dry hydrogen chloride gas, and investigate its effect on heated iron filings.

20
(i) Name substance L (1 mark)

(ii) Name liquid M. (1 mark)

(m) What will be observed in tube B (1 mark)

(iv) Write an equation for the reaction that occurs in tube B. (1 mark)

(v) Why is the gas from tube B burnt? (1 mark)

(b) (i) Explain the following observations:

(I) a white precipitate is formed when hydrogen chloride gas is passed through aqueous silver nitrate. (1 mark)

(II) hydrogen chloride gas fumes in ammonia gas. (1 mark)

(ii) State two uses of hydrogen chloride gas. (1 mark)

21
13.The diagram below represents the set up that was used to prepare and collect hydrogen chloride gas in the laboratory.

(a) State the purpose of concentrated sulphuric acid in the wash bottle. (1 mark)

(b) Write an equation for the reaction between dry hydrogen chloride gas and heated iron. ( I mark)

12-Chlorine –HCl/PbO2or MnO2 or KMnO4

Equation:2KMnO4(s) +16HCl(aq) → 2KCl(aq)+2MnCl2(aq) + 8H2O(l) + 5Cl2(g)

-Complete the set up to collect dry chlorine

Chemical test……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

22
Uses……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

13. Figure 3 shows a set-up used by a student to prepare dry chlorine gas in the laboratory.

Identify three mistakes in the set-up, and give a reason for each. (3 marks)

14.The diagram below represents a set-up intended for the preparation and collection of dry

chlorine gas. Study it and answer the questions that follow.

Chlorine

Conc. HCl(aq)

Manganes
e 23
Calcium oxide
Heat
(i) Identify two mistakes in the set-up and give a reason for each. (2mks)

(ii) State the role of manganese (IV) oxide. (1mk)

__________________________________________________________________

(b) Chlorine, in the presence of water, is a bleaching agent. Name the substance responsible for the bleaching action.
(1mk)

________________________________________________________________________
(c) Write down an equation for the reaction between dry chlorine and heated iron filings.
(1mk)

(d)Write an ionic equation for the reaction between potassium bromide solution and chlorine.
(1mk)

15.The set-up below can be used to generate a gas without heating. This occurs when substance M reacts with solid N.

24
(a) (i) Complete the table below giving the names of substance M and solid N if the gasses generated are chlorine and sulphur (IV) oxide.
(2 marks)

Chlorine Sulphur(iv)oxide

Substance M

Solid N

(ii) Complete the diagram above to show how a dry sample of sulphur (IV) oxide can be collected.
(3 marks)

Properties of chlorine

25
Role of liquid B……………………………………………………………………….
Role of water…………………………………………………………………………….
Name of C……………………………………………………………………………………..
Role of D………………………………………………………………………………………..
Equation for reaction in combustion tube………………………………………………………
13-Sulphur(iv)oxide- Na2SO3/dil HCl

Study the set-up below and answer the questions that follow
Dilute hydrochloric acid

gas x

A gas jar

Red litmus paper

Sodium sulphite
Identify gas X
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Na2SO3(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq ) + SO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

26
Chemical test…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Uses………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
14-Hydrogensulphide-FeS/ dil HCl
-Complete the set up

-FeS (s) + 2HCl (aq) H2S (g) FeCl2 (aq)

-Chemical test……………………………………………………………………

-uses………………………………………………………………………………

15.The set up below was used to prepare a gas and study some of its properties. Study it and answer the questions that

27
follow:

(a) State and explain the observations made in the:

(i) tube labelled A; (1 mark)

(ii) beaker labelled B. (1 mark)

(b) State one precaution that should be taken when carrying out this experiment.

15.Ethane-CH3CH2COONa/sodalime

CH3CH2COONa(s) + NaOH(s) C2 H6 + Na2CO3(s)

28
Uses…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

The set-up in Figure 2 was used to prepare a sample of ethane gas. Study it and answer the questions that follow.

(a) Name B -

(b) Write an equation for the complete combustion of ethane. (1 mark)

(c) State one use of ethane. (1 mark)

16.-ethene-C2H5OH/con.H2SO4

29
 CH3CH2OH (l) conc H2SO4/180oC CH2=CH2(g) + H2O(l)

Uses…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Chemical test…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Substance X Ethene gas

Water
bath Conc. sulphuric
SubstanceY acid

17.-ethyne-CaC2/H2O

CaC2(s) + 2 H2O(l) Ca(OH) 2 (aq) + C2H2 (g)

18. A student in Magondo High School set up the following arrangement to prepare and react gases V and W. Use it to answer the questions
that follow.(H=1, S=32, Cl=35.5)

HNo3 (aq) Gas V

Gas W
HCl (aq)

Tap 2

Flask A
Flask B

30
 Fes

CaOCl2

Tap 1 and 2 were opened at the same time.

(i) Write a balanced equation for the chemical reaction that took place in the flask A.

(ii) State and explain the observations that were made in flask B and combustion tube.
Flask B
……………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
Combustion tube
………………………………………………………………………………………………
iii) Mark on the diagram, the approximate position where reaction occurred in the combustion tube. Explain your answer.

……………………………………………………………………………………

(iv) State one possible objective of this experiment other than testing whether gas V reacts with W.

……………………………………………………………………………………………
(v) State one precaution which should be taken when carrying out the experiment.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
(b) In another experiment, bleaching powder CaOCl2 was replaced with sodium sulphite. Referring to C only, state the diference between the
observations made in this case and the previous observations.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
answers
(a) (i) CaCl2(s) + 2HNO3(aq)  Ca(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l) + Cl2(g) √1

31
 ( ½mk – correct equation ½ mk – balanced equation and state symbols)
(ii) B: Effervescence: A colourless gas that blackens √½ Lead acetate paper due to formation of
hydrogen sulphide. (2mks) C: Yellow specks white fumes. Chlorine oxidizes hydrogen sulphide to sulphur.
Hydrogen
chloride fumes are produced in the process. (2mks)
(iii) The mark is closer to A than B. hydrogen sulphide is less dense so it diffuses faster than chlorine gas. (2mks)

(iv) To compare diffusion rates of gases V and W √1

(v) C – it is completely sealed so as not allow the poisonous gas to escape (1mk)
Or perform in fume chamber
(b) Colourless liquid. √1 the yellow solid forms beyond the previous point to the right√1 (2mks)

32