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Science (086) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [1] § 1.2.2 Decomposition Reaction
Account for the following : Lead (II) nitrate on heating releases brown fumes.
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2026 31/4/1 Q26 (b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-14 10:34 · grounding rag
Model Answer

When lead(II) nitrate is heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition to form lead oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen. The brown fumes are of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).

$$2\text{Pb(NO}_3)_2(s) \xrightarrow{\text{Heat}} 2\text{PbO}(s) + 4\text{NO}_2(g) + \text{O}_2(g)$$

Source: Chapter 1, Section 1.2.2 Decomposition Reaction

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Explanation

The examiner expects: (1) identification of the brown fumes as NO₂, and (2) the balanced equation. For 1 mark, either naming NO₂ with a brief reason or writing the equation is sufficient, but including both makes the answer complete and safe.

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