Practice and Revision - Study of Compounds - Ammonia
Let us practise and revise what we learned about study of compounds - ammonia. Ammonia (NH3) is prepared in the laboratory and industrially,
Core concept
Ammonia is prepared in the lab by heating an ammonium salt with a base, and industrially by the Haber process (nitrogen + hydrogen under high pressure/temperature with a catalyst).
How it works
Ammonia gas is colourless, has a pungent smell, is lighter than air, and is extremely soluble in water, forming ammonium hydroxide.
Why it matters
Ammonia acts as a weak base, turning red litmus blue, and reacts with acids to form ammonium salts.
Key detail
Ammonia is widely used in manufacturing fertilisers, as a refrigerant, and in the production of nitric acid and other chemicals.
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Quick notes
• Lab prep: heating ammonium salt with a base.
• Industrial prep: Haber process (N2+H2, catalyst).
• Ammonia gas: colourless, pungent smell.
• It's lighter than air, highly soluble in water.
• Dissolving forms ammonium hydroxide.
• Ammonia is a weak base, turns red litmus blue.
• It reacts with acids to form ammonium salts.
• Uses: fertilisers, refrigerant, nitric acid production.