Question

Write a balanced equation for the following:
Reaction of ammonia with heated copper oxide.

Answer 1

Hint: A chemical equation is said to be balanced, if the total number of atoms (for each element) as well as the total charge remains same in both the reactant as well as product side.

Complete solution:
The chemical formula of ammonia is $N{H_3}$. It is a colorless gas, composed of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. Ammonia and ammonium ions play a vital role in metabolic processes.
Copper oxide is an inorganic compound which is composed of two elements copper and oxygen, having chemical formula $CuO$.
When ammonia is made to pass over heated copper oxide, we will get metallic copper as the product. The chemical reaction can be written as follows-
$3CuO + 2N{H_3} \to 3Cu + {N_2} + 3{H_2}O$
In the above reaction, the oxidation state of copper is changing from +2 (in $CuO$ ) to 0 in ( $Cu$). So, Copper is getting reduced and thus it will act as an oxidizing agent. Similarly, the nitrogen is undergoing oxidation, because its oxidation state is changing from -3 to 0. So, it is being oxidized and thus it will behave as a reducing agent.

Note: Copper oxide is widely used as a pigment in ceramic industries, for the production of blue, pink, green, red, gray or black glazes. It also finds its use as a dietary supplement for feeding animals.
Ammonia is most popular for its application as a refrigerant gas. Apart from this, it is also used in the manufacturing of explosives, plastics, dyes, certain pesticides and some chemicals as well.