2P229 Wang Zhi Jian

N₂O Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas!)

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is formed by 2 nitrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom. Since this gas is formed by two other elements that are non-metals, nitrous oxide is formed by covalent bonding.

This is the dot-and-cross diagram for N₂O :

(Mrs Chu, can you help me with this? The components of this compound are all non-metals, but covalent bonding does not work. Ionic bonding seems to work, but it does not suit this compound.)

Uses:

N₂O has many uses. It can be used as an oxidizer in rocket motors. It is a good oxidizer as it is stable at room temperature, easy to store and relatively safe to be carried on a flight as compared to other gases.

Also, it can be used in an internal combustion engine in vehicles. N₂O allows the engine to burn more fuel and air, resulting in a more powerful combustion in the engine. N₂O is not flammable. However, it delivers more oxygen than atmospheric air by breaking down into its components at high temperatures.

Not only that, N₂O is also used as an aerosol propellant. It can fill packets of snacks to displace oxygen, and inhibit bacteria growth. It is also used as a food additive.

N₂O also has medical uses. It has been used in anesthesia during dentist work. However, it has been replaced by the modern relative analgesia machine.

How it is harmful:

N₂O is a gas that can cause analgesia, depersonalization, derealisation, dizziness, euphoria, and some sound distortion. These symptoms may be dangerous to some people.

N₂O is a compressed liquefied gas. It may cause asphyxiation.

N₂O, similar to CO and CO₂ , is a gas that causes global warming. It has tremendous global warming potential. When compared to CO₂  , N₂O has 310 times the ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. This is dangerous as N₂O is produced naturally in the soil during the microbial processes of nitrification and denitrification. Also,  N₂O is currently the single most important ozone-depleting substance.