What is Ammonia?

Ammonia is a colorless gas with a chemical formula NH 3.

It consists of hydrogen and nitrogen. In its aqueous form, it is called ammonium hydroxide. This
inorganic compound has a pungent smell. In its concentrated form, it is dangerous and caustic.
In Metric units : The density of air 1.225 kg/m^3.

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.

Properties of Ammonia – NH3

NH3 Ammonia

Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass 17.031 g/mol

Density 0.73 kg/m³

Boiling Point -33.34 °C

Melting Point −77.73 °C

Ammonia is known to behave as a weak base since it combines with many acids to form salts. For
example, when it is reacted with hydrochloric acid, ammonia is converted into ammonium chloride

Ammonia reacts due to ammonium cation, denoted by NH4+

This autoionization process can be represented by the following equilibrium reaction:

2NH3 ⇌ NH2– + NH4+

Preparation of Ammonia – NH3

Ammonia is easily made in the laboratory by heating an ammonium salt, such as ammonium
chloride NH4Cl with a strong alkali, such as sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide.

2NH4Cl + Ca(OH)2 → CaCl2 + 2H2O + 2NH3(g)

The gas may also is made by warming concentrated ammonium hydroxide.

The principal commercial method of production of ammonia is the Haber Process, the direct
combination of nitrogen and hydrogen under high pressure in the presence of a catalyst.
NH3 Uses (Ammonia)
 It is used as fertilizers (urea ammonium nitrate) as it increases the yield of crops
 It is used in the household as a cleaner – NH 3 is mixed with water to clean stainless steel
and glass
 It is used in food products as an antimicrobial agent
 It is used in the fermentation industry
 It is used as a refrigerant
 It is used as a pH adjuster in the fermentation process
 It is used to neutralize pollutant like nitrogen oxides emitted from diesel engines
 It is used as a fuel for rocket engines
 It is used in textile industries
 It is used in the manufacture of synthetic fiber like rayon and nylon
 Explosives
 Pharmaceuticals
 Dyes
 Energy carrier