Properties & Uses of Ammonia

Properties Of Ammonia:

Colourless gas, with strong choking smell. It is less dense than air and reacts with hydrogen chloride gas to form a white smoke.

NH₃   + HCl  NH₄Cl

This reaction can also be used, to test Ammonia.

Ammonia is soluble in alkaline – reacts with acids to form salts.

NH₃   HNO₃NH₄NO_3(aq)

Haber Process:

Haber Process is used, to manufacture Ammonia.

Nitrogen and Hydrogen is reacted together in the presence of Iron Catalyst (Fe₂O₃) to form Ammonia.

Equation:

N₂  +  3H₂ 2NH₃

The source of Nitrogen, is air – fractional ditillation of Air.

Source of Hydrogen is Methane CH₄ – reacting CH₄ with steam.

It is a reaversible chemical reaction doesn’t go to 100% completion.

Catalyst used – (Fe₂O₃).It only speeds up the reaction, doesn’t changes its yield.

Conditions :

Temperature of 450C

Pressure of 200 atm.

Ammonia as a Fertilizer:

Plants need nitrogen as on eof components for growth and ammonium fertilizers contain Nitrogen  for that.

Fertilizers is any substance that is added to the soil, to make it more fertile. Plants need N₂ for making Chlorophyl and proteins and hence increase the overall crop yield.

Some common Fertilizers:

Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃)

Potassium Sulfate (K₂SO₄)

Ammonium Sulfate (NH₄)₂SO₄

Ammonium Phosphate (NH₄)₃PO₄

Reactions to make Fertilizers:

NH₃   +  HNO₃NH₄NO₃

2NH₃   + H₂SO₄ (NH₄)₂SO₄

Comparing Nitrogen Content:

Different Fertilizers are compared, in order to see which fertilizer contains more Nitrogen.

Lets Compare Ammonium Sulphate (NH₄)₂SO₄ with Urea  (NH₂)₂CO

Ammonium Sulphate  (NH₄)₂SO₄:

21.2% of Nitrogen

Urea  (NH₂)₂CO:

46.7% of Nitrogen

Hence Urea  (NH₂)₂CO is a better fertilizer since it contains more Nitrogen.

Eutriphication:

Nitrates are highly soluble in water. Hence when used as a fertilizer for crops,  excessive amount of nitrate travels with water to the river and canals. Nitrate is helpful for the growth of Algae. Algae covers the whole area thus blocking sunlight and oxygen to aquatic plant and life. Moreover, if someone drinks  that water – its contents  mixes with hemoglobin and may cause severe illness.

Uses Of Ammonia:

• Ammonia is used in making Fertilizers – that help in increasing crop yield.
• Used in manufacturing of Nitric Acid.
• Production of explosives and nylon.