Question

Hydrazine (N2H4) and dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) form a self-igniting mixture that has been used as a rocket propellant. The reaction products are N2 and H2O.

Part A: Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction Part B: What is being oxidized, and what is being reduced? 1.N2H4(g) is oxidized; N2O4(g) is reduced. 2.N2O4(g) is oxidized; N2H4(g) is reduced. Part C: Which substance serves as the reducing agent, and which as the oxidizing agent? 1.N2O4(g) serves as the oxidizing agent; N2H4(g) serves as the reducing agent 2. N2H4(g) serves as the oxidizing agent; N2O4(g) serves as the reducing agent

Answer 1

Ans

Part A :

The balanced reaction is given as :

2N2H4 + N2O4 = 3N2 + 4H2O

Part B : 1) N2H4 is oxidised ; N2O4 is reduced

Nitrogen has oxidation number of -2 in N2H4 and +4 in N2O4 , so N2H4 gets oxidised to N2 (oxidation number 0) , and N2O4 is reduced.

Part C : N2O4(g) serves as the oxidising agent ; N2H4 (g) serves as reducing agent

Since N2O4 has got itself reduced , it serves as the oxidising agent for N2H4 , whereas N2H4 has got itself oxidised so it serves as reducing agent for N2O4.