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JAMB Chemistry 1987 Question 31

Question 31

Nitrogen and its Compounds

Magnesium ribbon was allowed to burn inside a given gas P leaving a white solid residue Q. Addition of water to Q liberated a gas which produced dense white fumes with a drop of hydrochloric acid. The gas P was

  1. A.nitrogen
  2. B.chlorine
  3. C.oxygen
  4. D.sulphur (IV) oxide
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (nitrogen)

Explanation

Magnesium burns in nitrogen to form magnesium nitride, Mg3N2. Water turns this into ammonia, which forms white fumes of NH4Cl with HCl.