What happens when the following are heated? Lithium nitrate

When lithium nitrate (LiNO₃), an inorganic salt, is heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition. This means that the compound breaks down into simpler substances due to the input of heat.

The chemical reaction for this decomposition is:

4 LiNO₃ → 2 Li₂O + 4 NO₂ + O₂

In words, lithium nitrate decomposes to produce lithium oxide (Li₂O), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and oxygen gas (O₂). This is an endothermic reaction, requiring heat to break the chemical bonds in lithium nitrate.

The nitrogen dioxide gas produced is brownish-red and can be observed as brown fumes during heating. Oxygen gas is also released. Lithium oxide remains as a solid residue.

This reaction is important in inorganic chemistry as an example of nitrate decomposition of alkali metals. It differs from nitrates of heavier alkali metals, which typically release oxygen and metals instead of oxides.