Key learning points

1. Ammonia can be synthesised in the lab by heating a mixture of NH₄Cl and NaOH, producing NH₃ gas and other by-products.
2. Ammonia is an alkaline gas that reacts readily with water to form a corrosive, basic solution.
3. Ammonia gas turns moist red litmus paper blue, indicating its alkaline nature.
4. Ammonia gas is soluble, toxic, and has a pungent smell, requiring careful handling.
5. Ammonia reacts with hydrogen chloride (from concentrated hydrochloric acid) to form white fumes of ammonium chloride.

Keywords

• Ammonia - a simple molecular substance, with the formula NH₃, is a soluble, toxic, pungent gas at room temperature.

• Alkaline - a base that dissolves in water; these solutions have a pH greater than 7

• Pungent - a description of a substance that has a sharply strong smell

• Toxic - a substance that is poisonous, and can cause harm or death to living organisms

• Corrosive - a substance that causes damage by chemical action, often resulting in severe injury or destruction

Common misconception