@chemistrymylife: Decomposition of sodium nitrate, NaNO3 produces sodium nitrite, NaNO2 and oxygen gas, O2 Unlike heavy metal nitrates (such as copper or lead nitrate) which decompose into a metal oxide, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and oxygen, Group 1 alkali metal nitrates like sodium nitrate only reduce down to the nitrite salt at moderate high temperatures. #chemistry #chemistryteacher #heating #sodium #Science