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Calcium Nitrate is an inorganic compound with the formula Ca(NO3)2. It is a calcium nitrate salt, which includes Calcium, Nitrogen, and Oxygen.
- It is either a whitish-grey or white-colored granular solid that absorbs moisture from the air.
- It is usually found as a tetrahydrate compound Ca(NO3)2.4H2O.
- Calcium Nitrate is also referred to as Norgessalpeter.
- It was created by the Birkeland-Eyde Process in 1905 at Notodden, Norway.
- Calcium Nitrate is commonly used in fertilizers and explosives.
Key Terms: Calcium Nitrate, Inorganic Compound, Calcium, Salt, Tetrahydrate, Nitrogen, Fertilizers, Nitric Acid
What is Calcium Nitrate?
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Calcium Nitrate is defined as an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ca(NO3)2.
- Calcium Nitrate is an inorganic nitrate salt of calcium.
- It appears as a white to light gray granular solid.
- It may occur either as an anhydrous compound or a tetrahydrate.
- In its anhydrous form, it absorbs moisture from the air to give the tetrahydrate.
- Calcium Nitrate is majorly used as a component in fertilizers.
- It is also used in explosives and pyrotechnics.
Calcium Nitrate
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Structure of Calcium Nitrate
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Calcium Nitrate is inorganic nitrate salt of the element calcium. It is made up of Calcium (2+). The structure of Calcium Nitrate molecules is as follows:
Structure of Calcium Nitrate
Preparation of Calcium Nitrate
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Calcium Nitrate can be prepared using numerous techniques. The most popular technique for making this compound involves treating limestone with nitric acid and then neutralizing the resulting substance with ammonia. Additionally, it is created as a byproduct of the nitro phosphate manufacturing process (commonly known as the Odda process).
Calcium Nitrate can be prepared using the given techniques as follows:
(I) Nitric Acid is used to treat Calcium Carbonate, or limestone, to produce Calcium Nitrate. The reaction is as follows:
| CaCO3 + 2HNO3 \(\to\) Ca(NO3 )2 + CO2 + H2O |
(II) When Calcium Hydroxide solution is combined with an Ammonium Nitrate Solution, Calcium Nitrate is produced.
| 2NH4NO3 + Ca(OH)2 \(\to\) Ca(NO3)2 + 2NH4OH |
Properties of Calcium Nitrate
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Given below are the important properties of Calcium Nitrate:
| Properties of Calcium Nitrate | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC Name | Calcium Nitrate |
| Chemical Formula | Ca(NO3)2 |
| Molar Mass/Molecular Weight | 164.088 g/mol |
| Density | 2.5 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point | 561 °C |
| Boiling Point | 132 °C |
| Compound Formula | CaN2O6 |
Physical Properties of Calcium Nitrate
The physical properties of Calcium Nitrate are listed below:
| Physical Properties of Calcium Nitrate | |
|---|---|
| Odor | Odorless |
| Vapour Pressure | 49.800000 mm/Hg |
| Appearance | White Deliquescent Granules |
| Solubility | Soluble in Acetone and Alcohol but not in pure Nitric Acid. |
Chemical Properties of Calcium Nitrate
Given below are a few chemical properties of Calcium Nitrate:
(I) When Calcium Nitrate is added to sodium carbonate, the precipitate of Calcium Carbonate is formed leaving Sodium Nitrate in the solution.
| Ca(NO3)2 + Na2CO3 \(\to\) 2 NaNO3 + CaCO3 |
(II) 1. Calcium Nitrate undergoes decomposition on heating and releases nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.
| Ca(NO3)2 \(\to\) CaO + 2NO2 + \(\frac{1}{2}\) O2 |
Uses of Calcium Nitrate
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Some important uses of Calcium Nitrate are listed below:
- It is used as a fertilizer in agriculture and as an oxidizing agent in the production of matches.
- It is also used in the explosives and pyrotechnics industries.
- In the light business, it is used to create chimneys for incandescent lamps and fireworks.
- Calcium Nitrate is used as a raw material for the production of additional nitrate compounds.
- It is also utilized to improve the storage quality of crops reducing bitter pits in apples.
- Calcium nitrate is utilized in the pre-conditioning of wastewater to reduce odor pollution.
- It is a widely used coagulant in the manufacturing of latex, particularly in dipping operations.
- Dissolved Calcium Nitrate is present in a portion of the dipping bath solution.
- When Calcium Nitrate is dipped into latex, the latex will coagulate on the calcium nitrate and the stabilization of the latex solution will be broken apart.
- Calcium nitrate is also employed as a pack component since it dissolves in water in a highly endothermic manner.
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Things to Remember
- Calcium Nitrate is a whitish-grey inorganic nitrate salt of calcium.
- The chemical formula of Calcium Nitrate is Ca(NO3)2.
- It is made up of Calcium, Nitrogen, and Oxygen.
- It is found as an anhydrous compound or a tetrahydrate.
- It decomposes into nitrogen oxide, calcium oxide, and oxygen on heating.
- Calcium Nitrate is mainly used in pyrotechnics, explosives, and fertilizers.
Sample Questions
Ques. State the physical properties of Calcium Nitrate. (3 Marks)
Ans. The physical properties of Calcium Nitrate are as follows:
- Odour: Odourless
- Appearance: White Deliquescent Granules
- Vapour Pressure: 49.800000 mm/Hg
- Solubility: Soluble in Acetone and Alcohol, Insoluble in Concentrated Nitric Acid.
- Density: 2.5 g/cm3
- Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass: 164.088 g/mol
- Melting Point: 561 °C
- Boiling Point: 132 °C
Ques. What are the Uses of Calcium Nitrate? (3 Marks)
Ans. The important uses of Calcium Nitrate are as follows:
- Calcium Nitrate is commonly used in the production of pyrotechnics, explosives, and fertilizers.
- It is commonly used in the preconditioning of wastewater in wastewater treatment plants to stop the emission of offensive odors.
- It also has considerable use in the building sector, where it is a key ingredient in admixtures that speed up the setting of concrete.
- Calcium nitrate is a common coagulant used in the manufacture of latex, particularly during the dipping stage of the process.
Ques. Does Calcium Nitrate decompose? (2 Marks)
Ans. Yes, Calcium Nitrate undergoes decomposition on heating. It decomposes and releases nitrogen dioxide and oxygen. The decomposition of Calcium Nitrate is expressed through the given chemical reaction:
Ca(NO3)2 \(\to\) CaO + 2NO2 + \(\frac{1}{2}\)O2
Ques. Explain the Solubility of Calcium Nitrate. (3 Marks)
Ans. Calcium Nitrate is very soluble in water when it is in its anhydrous state.
- At a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, its tetrahydrate is also very soluble in water, with a solubility of 1290 grams per liter.
- It is also soluble in ethanol, methanol, and ammonia.
- In contrast to ethanol, it is significantly more soluble in methanol.
- At 40 degrees Celsius, this chemical dissolves in ethanol at a rate of 62.9 grams per 100 grams of ethanol.
- On the other hand, this substance dissolves in methanol at the same temperature at a rate of 158 grams for every 100 grams of methanol.
Ques. How can Calcium Nitrate be prepared? (3 Marks)
Ans. Calcium Nitrate can be prepared using several methods.
- Calcium Nitrate is commonly prepared by treating limestone with nitric acid and then neutralizing the resulting substance with ammonia.
- It is also created during the nitro phosphate process as an intermediate (Odda Process).
Ques. Why is Calcium Nitrate used in Fertilizers? (2 Marks)
Ans. Calcium Nitrate serves as a source of both calcium and nitrogen, thus, it is well-known to be a versatile fertilizer. Calcium nitrate can be used to treat plants that are deficient in one or both of these nutrients. This substance is especially beneficial for nourishing plants that produce fruit. A few plant diseases can also be treated or avoided by using Calcium Nitrate.
Ques. Is Calcium Nitrate toxic or harmful? (3 Marks)
Ans. Calcium Nitrate can indeed be harmful to humans. It can lead to coughing or difficulty in breathing when inhaled or ingested. The short-term negative consequences of exposure to Calcium Nitrate include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
Extended contact with Calcium Nitrate can cause skin rashes, redness, and itchy skin.
Ques. How to store Calcium Nitrate? (2 Marks)
Ans. Calcium Nitrate should be stored far from any combustible materials in the Oxidizer Storage Area (Yellow Storage) with other oxidizers. It should be kept away from incompatible materials in a cold, dry, well-ventilated, lockable storage area. One must use ventilation to keep airborne concentrations below exposure limits.
Ques. What does Calcium Nitrate do in Concretes? (2 Marks)
Ans. In mortars and concrete, Calcium Nitrate serves as a multipurpose ingredient that also serves as a set accelerator, plasticizer, long-term strength booster, and antifreeze admixture. The type of binder used and the calcium nitrate content influence the properties of the concrete mixture and the strength of the hardened concrete.
Ques. Describe the composition of Calcium Nitrate. (2 Marks)
Ans. Calcium Nitrate is a white, liquid fertilizer in the form of granules that contains two different types of nutrients. 15.5% of Calcium Nitrate is nitrogen (N), and 26.5 percent is Calcium Oxide (CaO). 14 percent of Nitrogen comes from Nitrate (NO3), and 15 percent comes from Ammonium (NH4).
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