What are the formulae properties preparation methods reactions and uses of ammonia and nitric acid
Ammonia is a colourless and foul-smelling gas which is composed of hydrogen and nitrogen. It is a simple and stable compound of both these elements and acts as a starting material to produce several nitrogen compounds. It is also amongst the most commonly present hydrides in the atmosphere. The amount of ammonia in the atmosphere is developed mostly because of the bacterial decomposition that is released from the nitrogen-rich elements from plants and animals.
Azane is the IUPAC name of ammonia. The ammonia chemical formula is NH3. Ammonia is present all around us and we are all exposed to a lower concentration of it in our day to day activities. In this article, we will study the properties and preparation of ammonia and nitric acid, the uses of ammonia, ammonium carbonate uses, and the properties of ammonia.
Preparation Of Ammonia
Smaller quantities of ammonia are present in the air and soil because of the decay of the nitrogenous organic matter. To produce ammonia on a small scale, ammonium salts and caustic soda are made to react with each other.
2NH4Cl + Ca(OH)2 → 2NH3 + 2H2O + CaCl2
For a large scale production, Haber’s process is used. The steps that are involved in Haber’s process are:
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ↔ 2NH3 (g)
Nitrogen and hydrogen are used in the form of raw materials for this reaction. The impurities for the gases get removed by a process known as scrubbing.
After this process of scrubbing, the gases are combined and then passed through a compressor. Then the mixture is compressed under a 200 atm pressure.
Then the compressed gases are passed to a converter in which the gases are heated up at a temperature of 450°C and 200 atm pressure. The nitrogen then tends to react with the hydrogen and forms ammonia, however, just about 15% of the total gas is formed.
The mixture of ammonia, nitrogen, and hydrogen is then removed from the converter and cooled wherein it tends to liquefy in the tank and then collected.
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Physical Properties of Ammonia
Chemical Properties of Ammonia
Ammonia is highly soluble in water. The NH3 aqueous solution is a weak base since OH- ions get formed.
NH3 + H2O → N4+ + OH-
Ammonium salts get formed when ammonia reacts with an acid.
ZnSO4 + 2NH4OH (g) → Zn(OH)2 + (NH4)2SO4
Uses of Ammonia
The liquid ammonia includes being used as a refrigerant.
The ammonia gas uses include the manufacturing of urea which is excellent nitrogen fertilizer.
The ammonia solution uses include removing grease since it has cleansing properties.
Nitric Acid
Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald in the starting of the 20th century had developed a process wherein ammonia was used for obtaining nitric acid. Due to the development of nitric acid, it had helped the Germans in World War I for making explosives and not importing it from other countries such as Chile. The chemical formula of nitric acid is denoted by HNO3.
Preparation of Nitric Acid
For the small scale preparation, nitric acid is made when concentrated sulphuric acid is heated along with NaNO3 or KNO3.
NaNO3 + H2SO4 → NaHSO4 + HNO3
For the large scale preparations of nitric acid, the Ostwald process is used.
In this process, ammonia undergoes catalytic oxidation through oxygen present in the atmosphere. This happens in the presence of Pt/Rh in the form of a catalyst at 500 K temperature and a pressure of 9 bars.
4NH3 + 5O2 → 4NO(g) + 6H2O
The nitric oxide obtained is then reacted with the oxygen to form NO2.
2NO + O2 → 2NO2(g)
The NO2 formed is then made to dissolve in H2O which forms HNO3.
3NO2 (g) + H2O(l) → 2HNO3(aq) + NO(g)
Properties of HNO3
Nitric acid is colourless in nature.
The boiling point of liquid nitric acid is 84.1°C and it tends to freeze at -41.55 °C and forms a white solid.
It is a strong acid that dissociates and forms nitrate ion and hydronium.
HNO3(aq) +H2O (l) → H3O+(aq) + NO3-(aq)
Nitric acid in its concentrated state tends to act as a strong oxidising state
Cu + 4HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O
FAQs on Ammonia and Nitric Acid Structure Properties and Preparation
1. What is the formula of ammonia and nitric acid?
The chemical formula of ammonia is NH3 and the formula of nitric acid is HNO3.
- Ammonia (NH3) consists of one nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms.
- Nitric acid (HNO3) contains one hydrogen, one nitrogen, and three oxygen atoms.
- Both are important nitrogen compounds widely studied in inorganic chemistry.
2. What are the physical and chemical properties of ammonia?
Ammonia is a colorless, pungent-smelling gas with basic properties and high solubility in water.
- Physical properties:
- Colorless gas with sharp odor
- Highly soluble in water
- Lighter than air
- Chemical properties:
- Acts as a weak base: NH3(g) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)
- Reacts with acids to form ammonium salts, e.g., NH3(g) + HCl(g) → NH4Cl(s)
- Burns in oxygen: 4NH3(g) + 3O2(g) → 2N2(g) + 6H2O(l)
3. What are the key properties of nitric acid?
Nitric acid is a strong acid and powerful oxidizing agent with the formula HNO3.
- Physical properties:
- Colorless to pale yellow liquid
- Highly corrosive and fuming
- Chemical properties:
- Completely ionizes in water: HNO3(aq) → H+(aq) + NO3-(aq)
- Reacts with metals to form nitrates
- Acts as an oxidizing agent in many redox reactions
4. How is ammonia prepared in the laboratory?
Ammonia is prepared in the laboratory by heating an ammonium salt with a strong base such as calcium hydroxide.
- Common reaction: 2NH4Cl(s) + Ca(OH)2(s) → 2NH3(g) + CaCl2(s) + 2H2O(l)
- The evolved NH3 gas is dried using quicklime (CaO).
- It is collected by downward displacement of air because it is lighter than air and highly soluble in water.
5. How is ammonia manufactured by the Haber process?
Ammonia is manufactured industrially by the Haber process using nitrogen and hydrogen gases.
- Balanced equation: N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)
- Conditions: ~450°C, ~200 atm pressure, iron catalyst.
- High pressure favors ammonia formation because fewer moles of gas are produced.
6. How is nitric acid prepared in the laboratory?
Nitric acid is prepared in the laboratory by heating a nitrate salt with concentrated sulfuric acid.
- Example reaction: NaNO3(s) + H2SO4(l) → NaHSO4(s) + HNO3(g)
- The nitric acid vapors are condensed to obtain liquid HNO3.
- The reaction is carried out below 200°C to prevent decomposition.
7. How is nitric acid manufactured by the Ostwald process?
Nitric acid is manufactured industrially by the Ostwald process, which oxidizes ammonia in several steps.
- Step 1: 4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) → 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)
- Step 2: 2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
- Step 3: 4NO2(g) + O2(g) + 2H2O(l) → 4HNO3(aq)
- This process links ammonia production to nitric acid manufacturing.
8. What happens when ammonia reacts with nitric acid?
Ammonia reacts with nitric acid to form ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3).
- Balanced reaction: NH3(g) + HNO3(aq) → NH4NO3(aq)
- This is an acid–base neutralization reaction.
- Ammonium nitrate is widely used as a fertilizer and in explosives.
9. What is the difference between ammonia and nitric acid?
Ammonia is a weak base (NH3), whereas nitric acid is a strong acid (HNO3).
- Nature: NH3 is basic; HNO3 is acidic.
- State: Ammonia is a gas at room temperature; nitric acid is a liquid.
- Ionization: NH3 partially ionizes in water, while HNO3 completely ionizes.
- Reaction: They react together to form ammonium nitrate.
10. Why is ammonia important in the manufacture of nitric acid?
Ammonia is the starting material for nitric acid production in the Ostwald process.
- NH3 is first oxidized to nitric oxide (NO).
- NO is further oxidized to nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
- NO2 reacts with water to produce HNO3.
- Thus, large-scale nitric acid manufacture depends directly on ammonia synthesis via the Haber process.
