Nitrous oxide decomposes to nitrogen and oxygen at velocities which can be conveniently measured at temperatures between 600° and 850° C. M. A. Hunter investigated the reaction by streaming the gas through a porcelain bulb in a furnace and measuring the decomposition for different times of passage.

What is the order of decomposition of N2O?

Hibbenll found the decomposition of nitrous oxide to be entirely heterogeneous and first-order in quartz at 6000 K and at a few hundredths of a mm pressure. Therefore, it was concluded that these intercepts were the first-order rate constants for a heterogeneous reaction of low energy of activation.

How is nitrous oxide metabolized?

Nitrous oxide is administered by inhalation, absorbed by diffusion through the lungs, and eliminated via respiration. The elimination half life of nitrous oxide is approximately 5 minutes. It is excreted essentially unchanged (ie, nonmetabolized) via the lungs; less than 0.004% is actually metabolized in humans.