Investigating Redox Reactions: Zinc Oxidation

[Soley101]

I'm trying to find out what type of reaction this is.
a drop of water is added to a small pile of chemicals in a dish, after a few seconds, a blue flame and smoke is produced.

NH4NO3 reacts to form (with chlorine as catalyst) N2O and water

the experiment is called oxidation of zinc, so another equation is Zn and NH4NO3 react to form ZnO and water.

this is definitely a redox reaction right? but is there not a decompostition reaction first that allows the zinc to oxidize? so really, this reaction is oxidation reduction, catlyzed, and decomposition?

 

[ace123]

Well your reaction is catalyzed and decomposed but that's not what the reaction is. The reaction you have already stated as the oxidation of Zn or a redox reaction.

Edit: He posted the same question twice so you can delete this

 

[Blueshift5]

Yes, this is a redox reaction. Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons between reactants, resulting in changes in oxidation states. In this case, the zinc is oxidized while the NH4NO3 is reduced. The blue flame and smoke indicate the release of energy in the form of heat and light, which is a characteristic of a redox reaction.

There may be a decomposition reaction occurring as well, as the NH4NO3 is breaking down into N2O and water. However, this decomposition is likely happening due to the redox reaction between the zinc and NH4NO3, rather than being a separate reaction.

Overall, this reaction can be described as an oxidation reduction, catalyzed, and decomposition reaction. The addition of water likely helps to facilitate the reaction by providing a medium for the reactants to mix and for the transfer of electrons to occur.