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All about Properties of Ammonia

Ammonia is a colourless, smelly gas that is made up of nitrogen and hydrogen and has the chemical formula NH3. It is made in large numbers and is easily liquefied by compression or cooling for use in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The Haber-Bosch reaction produces ammonia. The most common application is as a fertiliser, which is administered directly to soil from liquefied gas tanks. Ammonium salts, such as ammonium phosphate and ammonium nitrate, are utilised as fertilisers as well (the latter used in high explosives as well). As a raw ingredient, catalyst, and alkali, ammonia has a wide range of industrial applications. It quickly dissolves in water to generate ammonium hydroxide, an alkaline solution that is commonly used as a home cleaning.

Introduction 

Ammonia (NH3) is a nitrogen-hydrogen molecule that is necessary for life. It is formed by the degradation of plant and animal bodies on a regular basis. When animals and plants die and decay, the nitrogen molecules in their bodies degrade, resulting in ammonia production. Ammonia is also found in the soil in the form of ammonium salts and Ammonium salts are formed when it reacts with an acid.Ammonia’s chemical structure Azane is the IUPAC name for ammonia, which is a nitrogen-hydrogen chemical with the formula NH3. Azane is a gas which is colourless in nature and has a pungent smell. It boils at 198.4K and 239.7K.

Structure Of Ammonia

The atom ammonia is a covalent one. It appears to be a dot structure. The centre atom of the particle is shaped by the overlap of orbitals of three hydrogen atoms and three sp3 hybrid orbitals of nitrogen in the structure. A lone pair is involved in the fourth sp3 hybrid orbital. 

The compound takes on a trigonal pyramidal structure as a result of this, the H-N-H bond edge is 107.3°, which is somewhat different from the 109°28 tetrahedral edge. Because the bond pair-lone pair repulsions drive the N-H bonds inwards, this is the case where Ammonia is linked by hydrogen bonds in both solid and liquid phases.

Physical Properties Of Ammonia

Ammonia is a gas that is produced through the fermentation process. It is completely devoid of colour. It has a soapy aroma and a harsh pungent odour. It attacks the eyes and causes tears when inhaled. It’s not as heavy as air. It’s extremely water soluble. At a pressure of roughly 8-10 atmospheres, ammonia dissolves smoothly at ambient temperature. 

Under one-atmosphere pressure, liquid ammonia bubbles at 198.4K and 239.6 K (-33.5°C). The latent heat of evaporation is high in this substance (1370 J for each gram). It solidifies to a white crystalline solid at 195.3 K (- 77.8°C). Ammonium salts are formed when it reacts with an acid.

Chemical Properties Of Ammonia

  1. Thermal Stability

Ammonia is a very inert gas. In any event, we can break it into hydrogen and nitrogen by passing it across hot metallic impetuses.

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2. Combustibility 

In the presence of air, it is combustible.

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3. Basic character 

The molecule has a natural proclivity for transferring its lone pair of nitrogen electrons to other atoms. As a result, it functions as a powerful Lewis base.

Uses Of Ammonia 

  • It’s used in the manufacture of urea and rayon.

  • Ammonium nitrate, urea diammonium phosphate, ammonium sulphate, and other ammonium compounds are used in the manufacturing of composts.

  • We use it as a refrigerant in ice factories more commonly.

  • It’s used as a purging operator for furniture and glass surfaces in the furniture sector.

  • We use it in Ostwald’s technique to make nitric acid.

  • We also employ it in the Solvay technique to make sodium carbonate. 

 

Tests Performed For Ammonia’s Presence 

Any specimen can pass the following tests to confirm the presence of the compound: 

 

  • The compound’s ammoniacal scent is easily detectable, with a distinct unpleasant odour. 

  • Wet red litmus turns blue, while damp turmeric paper turns brown.

  • When a glass bar is dipped in strong HCl and transported near ammonia, thick white exhaust is produced.

  • Ammonia colours a copper sulphate solution vivid blue when it is added to it.

  • Ammonia produces a brown precipitate when added to Nessler’s reagent (basic arrangement of K2[HgI4]. 

Conclusion

Plants and animals both need ammonia, thus making it a vital supply for both the organisms. Ammonia can be produced by bacteria in the intestine which is a colourless, odourless gas. Ammonia is used in smelling salts, numerous household and commercial cleaners, and window-cleaning solutions, and many people are familiar with this odour. Water dissolves ammonia gas. Liquid ammonia, also known as aqueous ammonia, is a type of ammonia that is liquid at room temperature. Liquid ammonia quickly converts to a gas when exposed to the open air. Ammonia is used to manufacture fertilisers for agricultural crops, lawns, and plants. It is put directly to the soil on farm fields. Ammonia is found in many commercial and household cleansers.

 
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What is the chemical formula of Ammonia?

Ans: The chemical formula of ammonia is NH...Read full

Which process is used to produce ammonia and ammonium salts ?

Ans: Ammonia is generally made in large numbers through Haber – Bosch re...Read full

At what temperature , liquid ammonia starts to boil ?

Ans: At one – atmosphere pressure, it starts boiling at 198.4K...Read full

What are the chemical properties of ammonia?

Ans: Ammonia is a very inert gas and it can be further processed into hydrogen...Read full

What is Azane and how is it relatable to ammonia ?

Ans: Azane is a gas which is colourless in nature and has a pungent smell. The IUPAC name of ammonia is Azane...Read full