JAMB Chemistry 1979 Question 30

Question 30

Nitrogen and its Compounds

Calcium hydroxide and ammonium chloride when heated together will give an important product. This compound may be obtained dry by

  1. A.dissolving it in water, recrystallizing it, and then drying in the oven
  2. B.passing it through a concentrated aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide
  3. C.passing it through concentrated sulphuric acid
  4. D.passing it through calcium oxide
  5. E.passing it through anhydrous calcium chloride.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (passing it through calcium oxide)

Explanation

The product is ammonia, which is basic. It reacts with sulphuric acid and with calcium chloride, so it is dried with quicklime (calcium oxide).