Ammonia
Ammonia
Occurrence : Free ammonia occurs due to bacterial decomposition of urea present in the animal wastes. Hence
urinals smells of ammonia.
General methods of preparation :
(i) From ammonium salts :
Ammonium salts + alkali → salt + ammonia + water
2NH4Cl + Ca(OH)2 → CaCl2 + 2H2O + 2NH3
Ammonium nitrate salt is not used because ammonium nitrate decomposes explosively forming nitrous oxide
and water
(ii) From metallic nitrides : Nitrides of metals like Mg , Ca and Al produces metallic hydroxides and ammonia on
being treated with warm water.
Mg3N2 + 6H2O → 3Mg(OH)2 + NH3 ↑
2AlN + 6H2O → 2Al(OH)2 + NH3 ↑
The above two methods can be used for the laboratory preparation of ammonia.
Note :
(i) More amount of Ca(OH)2 is used to counteract loss of NH4Cl due to sublimation
(ii) Slaked lime is used instead of NaOH or KOH because it is not deliquescent
Drying of gas : The gas is dried by passing it through the layers of quicklime ( CaO ).
Conventional drying agents like conc. H2SO4 , phosphorus pentoxide and anhydrous calcium chloride cannot be used
since ammonia reacts with the compounds to produce salts .
Condensor
Ammonia gas is recovered from the unreacted mixture by liquefaction to liquid ammonia .
Physical Properties :
(i) Colourless gas with pungent odour
(ii) Lighter than air
(iii) Can be easily liquefied by applying pressure of 8 – 10 atm.
(iv) Highly soluble in water :1 vol of water dissolves 750 vols of ammonia
High solubility of ammonia in water can be demonstrated by fountain experiment
Observation : Blue fountain is obtained using red litmus solution .
Chemical Properties :
(i) Reaction with oxygen :
Ammonia burns in oxygen with a greenish yellow flame to produce nitrogen and water.
4NH3 + 3O2 → 6H2O + N2
Uses of ammonia :
(i) Used as a refrigerant due to high volatility and high latent heat of vapourisation.
(ii) Used to remove grease stains.
(iii) Used in the manufacture of fertilizers.
2. How is ammonia prepared in laboratory from : (i) aluminium nitride (ii) ammonium chloride
7. Write the equation for the formation of ammonia by the action of water on magnesium nitride. [2003]
(i ) How is ammonia collected ?
(ii) Why is ammonia not collected over water ?
8. Name a gas whose solution is alkaline , state one important use of quicklime . [1989]
9. State the products of the following reaction when a well ground mixture of ammonium chloride and slaked
lime was heated . [1989]
10. State what will you observe when ammonium hydroxide is reacted with copper sulphate solution .
12. The first step in the manufacture of nitric acid is catalytic oxidation of ammonia . What is the name of the catalyst ?
[2002]
13. Name the ions formed when ammonia dissolves in water .
14. Of the two gases ammonia and hydrogen chloride , which is more dense ? Name the method of collection of gas .
1. Give a chemical test to identify : (i) ammonia gas (ii) ammonium hydroxide solution (iii) ammonium salt
6. State two advantages of using the funnel arrangement while preparing aqueous ammonia .
7. List the properties of ammonia that makes it : (i) a good refrigerant (ii) a cleansing agent
8. What are the necessary conditions for getting the maximum yield of ammonia .
9. Ammonia is highly soluble in water yet its aqueous solution can not be prepared by passing it directly into distilled
water. Explain . Also describe the method used to dissolve it in water.
11. E
Alkaline gas C Nitric oxide
D O2
F
G
Colourless and coloured gas Calcium nitrate Nitric acid
12. Give reason why ammonium nitrate is not used in the laboratory preparation of ammonia.
13. Give balanced equation for the conversion of ammonia into nitrogen using an amphoteric oxide.
14. State two physical properties of ammonia which are involved in separating ammonia from unreacted gases in the
manufacture of ammonia.