Question #3e7df

2 Answers
Jan 20, 2017

#2stackrel(+2)Hg(stackrel(+5)Nstackrel(-2)O_3)_2stackrel(Delta)->2stackrel(0)Hg+2stackrel(+4)NO_2+stackrel(0)O_2#

The changes in oxidation number of elements in the given reaction are as follows

#stackrel(+2)Hg->stackrel(0)Hg=>"2 unit reduction"#

#stackrel(+5)N->stackrel(+4)N=>"1 unit reduction"#

#stackrel(-2)O->stackrel(0)O=>"2 unit oxidation"#

It is obvious from above change in ON that the reaction is an intramolecular redox reaction brought about by heat.

Jan 22, 2017

Noting that one reactant is producing several simpler products I would just call it a (thermal) decomposition.