Nitrous Oxide - Laughing Gas, Structure, Preparation Applications, FAQs

Q: What is N2O chemical name?

N 2 O chemical name is nitrous oxide.

Nitrous Oxide - Laughing Gas, Structure, Preparation Applications, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:48 PM IST

What is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous Oxide is an oxide of nitrogen. Nitrous oxide formula is N₂O.

It is also referred as DINITROGEN MONOXIDE.

It is a colourless, odourless gas having sweet smell and taste.

This inorganic compound is a linear molecule made up of 2 nitrogen and 1 oxygen atom, with nitrogen being in +1 oxidation state.

The Lewis structure of Nitrous Oxide/Dinitrogen oxide/Laughing gas is represented as follows :-

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This Story also Contains

What is Nitrous Oxide?
Resonance structure of NO2
What is Laughing gas?
Who Discovered Laughing gas ?
Preparation of Laughing gas :-
Applications of Nitrous Oxide Gas OR nitrous oxide uses :-

N₂O structure

N2O structure

Nitrous oxide structure is a resonating structure with chemical formula N₂O and having a molar weight of 44.013 g/mol.

The resonance structures of nitrous oxide can be represented as follows :-

The resonance structures of nitrous oxide

The most stable Lewis structure of nitrous oxide is 1639224790745 where O being more electronegative possesses negative charge and the less electronegative N bears a positive charge.

Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas. The laughing gas formula is N₂O.

Resonance structure of NO₂

Resonance structure of NO2

In nitrate ion one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms are present. In nitrate ion two types of nitrogen oxygen bonds are present. The shorter bond is stronger bond between nitrogen and oxygen.

In nitrate ion, one oxygen atom have a formal charge of 9 and other two oxygen have formal charge -1.

What is Laughing gas?

Laughing gas name is nitrous oxide. Laughing gas chemical name is nitrous oxide. Laughing gas chemical formula is N₂O. It calms down the nervous system leading to slow thinking. It causes a feeling of EUPHORIA (intense feelings of pleasure) as it suppresses common sensations like physical and emotional pain, hearing and even the sensation of touch ultimately leading to slip into relaxation. Not all people laugh after inhaling this gas, some might feel sleepy also. This laughing gas is responsible for decreasing the anxiety level while undergoing a dental treatment. Nitrous Oxide is also used as a mild sedative agent in dental treatments as it helps in relieving stress and promote relaxation.

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Who Discovered Laughing gas ?

An English Scientist Joseph Priestley around 1772 discovered Nitrous Oxide gas or Laughing Gas was initially discovered this gas but, another English chemist – Humphry Davy, later named it and showed its psychological effect. Joseph Priestly is also famous for his work where he was successful in isolating other important gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. Humphrey Davy was keen to know the effects of nitrous gas or laughing gas on people and hence he started to inhale the gas and record the results.

He also took the gas outside the laboratory conditions to study its effects in detail and record his observations. He kept on increasing the quantity of gas inhaled and experienced intense impacts of the gas. He and his subjects, who were exposed to the laughing gas primarily concluded that they experienced a feeling of relaxation and calmness when exposed to the laughing gas. A highly pleasant and pleasurable sense was experienced by the people exposed to the gas, also making them laugh.

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Preparation of Laughing gas :-

Preparation of nitrous oxide involves oxidation of hydroxyl amine with sodium nitrate, coper sulphate, potassium permanganate or ferric chloride.

Reduction of nitric acid (HNO₃) by stannic chloride (SnCl₂) and HCl gives nitrous oxidation.

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4SnCL₂ + 8HCl + 2HNO₃ 4SnCL₂ + 5H₂O + N₂O

Dilute HNO3 upon reacting with zinc results into formation of Laughing gas or Nitrous oxide.
Heating of ammonium nitrate results in the melting of the chemical itself eventually leading to its decomposition and exploding at 240 degrees celcius.
Heating ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate mixture was the first process followed in the laboratory for the laughing gas preparation.

Nitrous Oxide gas was obtained without any explosion of ammonium nitrate formed in this mixture.

(NH₄)₂SO₄ + 2NaNO₃Na₂SO₄ + 2NH₄NO₃

The Nitrous Oxide Gas (N₂O) which is obtained after heating ammonium sulphate and sodium nitrate solution is treated with KOH,FeSo₄ and concentrated H₂SO₄.

Applications of Nitrous Oxide Gas OR nitrous oxide uses :-

Nitrous Oxide gas Is known for its anaesthetic and pain reducing

effects.This gas is not used singly but in combination with oxygen gas. 70 % nitrous oxide gas is combined with 30 % oxygen gas in anaesthetic procedures.

Nitrous Oxide gas is also a good analgesic where it is often administered as a 50% mixture with oxygen gas.

Nitrous oxide gas is more stable at room temperature and less toxic because of which it is possible to be used as an oxidizer in a rocket motor.

Initially this laughing gas was used during labour and delivery procedures.

Nowadays, it is also used in dental procedures. As it is a mild sedative agent, this gas combined with oxygen is made to inhale through a nose fitting mask.it results in dizziness and brings a sense of relaxation while undergoing the dental procedure.

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NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is N2O chemical name?

N₂O chemical name is nitrous oxide.

2. Which gas is known as laughing gas?

Nitrous oxide is known as laughing gas.

3. What are the ill effects of nitrous oxide?

Nausea , excessive shivering, fatigue are some of the ill effects caused due to the gas.

4. What happens when nitrous oxide is exposed for a long time ?

long term exposure to the gas results in memory loss causing brain and nerve damage.

5. Who should not be permitted the use of Nitrous Oxide?

Patients with cardiac problems, pregnant women (generally during first trimester) are advised not to use nitrous oxide under any circumstances. People with retinal surgeries and ear surgeries are also advised not to come in contact with nitrous oxide. Clinical professionals also avoid administration of laughing gas to patients having undergone pulmonary hypertensions, severe psychiatric problems. Effects of nitrous oxide is different on different people depending upon the amount consumed by the people. Consumption of large amount of nitrous oxide leads to loss of blood pressure, fainting and also causes a severe heart attack. Hypoxia is a condition caused due to the inhalation laughing gas and can prove dangerous if enough oxygen is not provided.

Combination of Nitrous oxide gas with other drugs or chemicals can also prove fatal for heart patients by disrupting the heartbeat. Alcohol and laughing gas when combined can lead to confusion problems, feeling of heaviness, lack of concentration and loss of body control and balance. This laughing gas is also used in the food industry for whipped cream production. It is used as a foaming reagent. Nitrous oxide is also a greenhouse gas pollutant. It is responsible for greenhouse gas pollution. This laughing gas or nitrous oxide gas emissions by humans have increased deliberately during past years. Its concentration increased up to 30% between 1980 and 2016.It has been declared as dangerous gas for existence of humans on earth.

6. What are the main industrial applications of nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide has several industrial applications, including:

7. How does nitrous oxide act as an anesthetic?

Nitrous oxide acts as an anesthetic by interfering with neurotransmitter systems in the brain. It primarily affects NMDA receptors, which are involved in pain perception and consciousness. By modulating these receptors, nitrous oxide produces its analgesic and anesthetic effects.

8. What are the environmental concerns associated with nitrous oxide?

The main environmental concerns with nitrous oxide include:

9. How does the structure of nitrous oxide contribute to its properties?

Nitrous oxide has a linear molecular structure (N-N-O) with a double bond between the nitrogen atoms and a coordinate covalent bond between the second nitrogen and oxygen. This structure contributes to its stability and its ability to act as a weak anesthetic.

10. Why is nitrous oxide considered a greenhouse gas?

Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas because it absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere, trapping heat. Its molecular structure allows it to absorb specific wavelengths of radiation that other greenhouse gases like CO2 don't capture as effectively.

11. How is nitrous oxide prepared in a laboratory setting?

Nitrous oxide is typically prepared by carefully heating ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). The reaction is: NH4NO3 → N2O + 2H2O. This process requires controlled conditions as ammonium nitrate can be explosive if heated too rapidly.

12. What safety precautions should be taken when handling nitrous oxide?

When handling nitrous oxide:

13. What is the significance of nitrous oxide's bond dissociation energy?

The bond dissociation energy of nitrous oxide is important for understanding its stability and reactivity. The N-N bond in N2O is stronger than a typical single bond but weaker than a triple bond. This intermediate strength contributes to its stability under normal conditions but allows for its decomposition at higher temperatures or in the presence of catalysts.

14. How does nitrous oxide interact with metals?

Nitrous oxide is generally non-reactive with most metals at room temperature. However, at elevated temperatures, it can act as an oxidizing agent. This property is utilized in some specialized applications, such as in the production of semiconductor materials.

15. What is the relationship between nitrous oxide and nitric acid?

Nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric acid (HNO3) are related through the nitrogen cycle and industrial processes. N2O can be oxidized to form nitric acid in the presence of water and oxygen. Conversely, the decomposition of nitric acid can produce nitrous oxide under certain conditions. Understanding this relationship is crucial in environmental chemistry and industrial processes.

16. What is the hybridization of nitrogen atoms in nitrous oxide?

In nitrous oxide, both nitrogen atoms are sp hybridized. This hybridization allows for the linear structure of the molecule, with a triple bond between the nitrogen atoms and a coordinate covalent bond to the oxygen atom.

17. How does the molecular orbital theory explain the bonding in nitrous oxide?

Molecular orbital theory explains nitrous oxide bonding as follows:

18. How does the bond angle in nitrous oxide compare to that in carbon dioxide?

Both nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are linear molecules with a bond angle of 180°. This similarity is due to their similar electronic structures and the sp hybridization of the central atoms. However, the bond lengths and strengths differ due to the different elements involved.

19. How does nitrous oxide interact with other atmospheric gases?

Nitrous oxide primarily interacts with other atmospheric gases through:

20. What role does nitrous oxide play in stratospheric ozone depletion?

Nitrous oxide contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion by reacting with oxygen atoms in the upper atmosphere to form nitric oxide (NO). This NO then participates in catalytic cycles that destroy ozone. While less potent than CFCs, N2O's long atmospheric lifetime makes it a significant concern for long-term ozone depletion.

21. What is nitrous oxide and why is it called "laughing gas"?

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a colorless, sweet-smelling gas. It's called "laughing gas" because it can produce euphoria and laughter when inhaled in small amounts. This effect is due to its mild anesthetic properties that alter brain chemistry temporarily.

22. How does the dipole moment of nitrous oxide compare to other triatomic molecules?

Nitrous oxide has a small dipole moment (0.167 D) despite its linear structure. This is due to the slight difference in electronegativity between N and O. In contrast, other triatomic molecules like water (H2O) have larger dipole moments due to their bent structure and greater electronegativity differences between atoms.

23. What is the relationship between nitrous oxide and the human body's natural pain response?

Nitrous oxide interacts with the body's endogenous opioid system, particularly the κ-opioid receptors. This interaction enhances the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Additionally, it modulates GABA receptors, contributing to its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. Understanding this relationship helps explain its effectiveness as an analgesic and anxiolytic agent in medical settings.

24. How does the electronic configuration of nitrous oxide contribute to its stability?

The electronic configuration of nitrous oxide contributes to its stability through the formation of a triple bond between the nitrogen atoms and a coordinate covalent bond with oxygen. The molecule has a total of 16 valence electrons, allowing for a stable octet configuration for all atoms. This electron arrangement results in a relatively unreactive molecule under normal conditions.

25. What is the significance of nitrous oxide's infrared absorption spectrum?

The infrared absorption spectrum of nitrous oxide is significant because:

26. How does nitrous oxide differ from other nitrogen oxides?

Nitrous oxide (N2O) differs from other nitrogen oxides like nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in its structure and properties. N2O is relatively stable and less reactive, while NO and NO2 are more reactive and play significant roles in air pollution and acid rain formation.

27. How does the polarity of nitrous oxide compare to other simple molecules?

Nitrous oxide is a non-polar molecule despite having polar bonds. This is because the dipole moments cancel out due to its linear structure. In contrast, molecules like water (H2O) or ammonia (NH3) are polar due to their bent or pyramidal structures.

28. How does the bond order in nitrous oxide compare to nitrogen gas (N2)?

The N-N bond in nitrous oxide has a bond order of 2.5, while the N-N bond in nitrogen gas (N2) has a bond order of 3. This difference is due to the presence of the oxygen atom in N2O, which affects the electron distribution and bonding between the nitrogen atoms.

29. What is the role of nitrous oxide in the nitrogen cycle?

In the nitrogen cycle, nitrous oxide is primarily produced as a byproduct of denitrification, where bacteria convert nitrates back to atmospheric nitrogen. It's also produced during nitrification. N2O acts as an intermediate step in these processes, affecting the overall balance of nitrogen in ecosystems.

30. How does the solubility of nitrous oxide in water compare to other gases?

Nitrous oxide is moderately soluble in water, more so than oxygen or nitrogen, but less than carbon dioxide. Its solubility is temperature-dependent, decreasing as water temperature increases. This property is important in its environmental behavior and its use in certain applications.

31. What is the significance of nitrous oxide's critical temperature and pressure?

The critical temperature of nitrous oxide is 36.4°C, and its critical pressure is 72.45 atm. These values are significant because above this temperature and pressure, nitrous oxide exists as a supercritical fluid, exhibiting properties of both a liquid and a gas. This is relevant in certain industrial applications and in understanding its behavior under various conditions.

32. How does nitrous oxide behave under high pressure?

Under high pressure, nitrous oxide can be liquefied. As pressure increases, it transitions from a gas to a liquid and eventually to a supercritical fluid above its critical point. This behavior is exploited in various applications, including its use as a propellant and in supercritical fluid extraction processes.

33. What is the importance of nitrous oxide in paleoclimatology?

Nitrous oxide plays a crucial role in paleoclimatology as a proxy for past climate conditions. Ice core samples contain trapped air bubbles with N2O, allowing scientists to measure historical atmospheric concentrations. These measurements provide insights into past climate changes, nitrogen cycle dynamics, and the relationship between greenhouse gases and global temperatures over geological time scales.

34. How does nitrous oxide affect plant growth and agriculture?

Nitrous oxide has complex effects on plant growth and agriculture:

35. What is the relationship between nitrous oxide and denitrifying bacteria?

Denitrifying bacteria play a crucial role in the production of nitrous oxide in natural systems. These bacteria reduce nitrates (NO3-) to nitrites (NO2-), then to nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O), and finally to nitrogen gas (N2). N2O is an intermediate in this process and can be released into the atmosphere if the denitrification process is incomplete.

36. How does the reactivity of nitrous oxide compare to that of oxygen gas?

Nitrous oxide is generally less reactive than oxygen gas (O2) under normal conditions. While O2 readily participates in combustion reactions and oxidation processes, N2O requires higher activation energy to decompose and react. However, at elevated temperatures or in the presence of certain catalysts, N2O can act as an oxidizing agent, similar to but less potent than O2.

37. What is the role of nitrous oxide in rocket propulsion systems?

Nitrous oxide is used in some rocket propulsion systems as an oxidizer. Its advantages include:

38. What is the significance of nitrous oxide's critical point in industrial applications?

The critical point of nitrous oxide (36.4°C, 72.45 atm) is significant in industrial applications because:

39. How does nitrous oxide contribute to the formation of noctilucent clouds?

Nitrous oxide contributes to the formation of noctilucent clouds in the mesosphere by:

40. What is the relationship between nitrous oxide and soil organic matter?

The relationship between nitrous oxide and soil organic matter involves:

41. How does the presence of nitrous oxide affect flame propagation?

Nitrous oxide affects flame propagation by:

42. What is the significance of nitrous oxide's Henry's law constant?

The Henry's law constant for nitrous oxide is significant because: