Characteristics of ammonia
What is the characteristics and uses of ammonia?
Ammonia is lighter than air with a density of 0.769 kg/m3 at STP. It is widely used as a fertilizer. It is also used in the manufacturing of explosives such as nitrocellulose and TNT. Also, it is used in the production of soda ash and in the Ostwald process to get nitric acid.
What are the characteristics of ammonium?
Ammonia is a colourless gas with a characteristically pungent smell. It is lighter than air, its density being 0.589 times that of air. It is easily liquefied due to the strong hydrogen bonding between molecules; the liquid boils at −33.1 °C (−27.58 °F), and freezes to white crystals at −77.7 °C (−107.86 °F).
What is the chemical properties of ammonia?
Physical Properties of Ammonia
| Ammonia Chemical Formula | NH3 |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless gas |
| Odour | A strong and pungent odour |
| Ammonia Melting Point | −77.73 °C or −107.91 °F or 195.42 K |
| Ammonia Boiling Point | −33.34 °C or −28.01 °F or 239.81 K |
What are the characteristics of ammonia as refrigerant?
Anhydrous ammonia is a clear liquid that boils at a temperature of -28°F.
…
Summary of properties:
…
Summary of properties:
| Boiling Point | -28°F |
|---|---|
| Specific gravity of the liquid (water=1) | 0.619 |
| Specific gravity of the gas (air=1) | 0.588 |
| Flammable limits in air | 16-25% |
| Ignition temperature | 1204°F |
What are three characteristics of ammonia?
Some chemical/physical properties of ammonia are: At room temperature, ammonia is a colorless, highly irritating gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. In pure form, it is known as anhydrous ammonia and is hygroscopic (readily absorbs moisture). Ammonia has alkaline properties and is corrosive.
Is ammonia acidic or basic?
Ammonia solution is said to be a weak base. This is because the ammonia’s nitrogen atom has an electron pair that easily accepts a proton. When ammonia is in water it can readily gain hydrogen ions to form hydroxide and ammonium ions.
What are advantages of ammonia?
Ammonia has better heat transfer properties than most of chemical refrigerants and therefore allow for the use of equipment with a smaller heat transfer area. Thereby plant construction cost will be lower.
Is ammonia highly flammable?
Ammonia is flammable. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive, and/or toxic gases. Never direct water jet straight at liquid ammonia. For small fires use dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Is ammonia heavier than air?
Ammonia gas is lighter than air and will rise, so that generally it does not settle in low-lying areas. However, in the presence of moisture, ammonia can form vapors that are heavier than air. These vapors can spread along the ground or other low-lying areas.
What is ammonium used for?
About 80% of the ammonia produced in industry is used in agriculture as fertilizer. Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant gas, to purify water supplies, and in the manufacture of plastics, explosives, fabrics, pesticides, dyes and other chemicals.
Is ammonium a strong acid?
And in solution, the ammonium cation acts as a weak acid and donates a proton to water to form the hydronium ion, H3O plus, and aqueous ammonia. The ammonium cation, NH4 plus, is a weak acid. Therefore, the Ka value is less than one.
What is the difference between ammonia and ammonium?
Ammonia is un-ionized, and has the formula NH3. Ammonium is ionized, and has the formula NH4+. The major factor that determines the proportion of ammonia or ammonium in water is water pH. The activity of ammonia also is influenced by temperature and ionic strength.
What is the structure of ammonium?
Is ammonia weak or strong?
Weak bases
Ammonia is a typical weak base. Ammonia itself obviously doesn’t contain hydroxide ions, but it reacts with water to produce ammonium ions and hydroxide ions. However, the reaction is reversible, and at any one time about 99% of the ammonia is still present as ammonia molecules.
Why ammonium is a weak acid?
Furthermore, the ammonium ion acts as a weak acid in aqueous solutions because it breaks down in water to form ammonia and a hydrogen ion.