Ammonia and Nitric Acid (school Names) — Nh3

Ammonia acts as a base in water: NH₃ + H₂O ⇌ NH₄⁺ + OH⁻. It is manufactured by the Haber Process: N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃.

Ammonia contains one nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. It is manufactured industrially by the Haber Process. Ammonia dissolves readily in water and produces an alkaline solution because it accepts a proton from water: NH₃ + H₂O ⇌ NH₄⁺ + OH⁻. It reacts with acids to form ammonium salts, for example NH₃ + HCl → NH₄Cl. Ammonia is particularly important in fertilizer production and as a feedstock for nitric acid manufacture (Ostwald Process). The lone pair on nitrogen allows proton acceptance and also allows ammonia to act as a ligand.

Ammonia formula NH₃. It is basic, dissolves in water, and forms ammonium salts with acids. Haber Process makes it. Do not confuse NH₃ with NH₄⁺.

Ammonia is a Brønsted–Lowry base because it accepts a proton. In water some OH⁻ is produced, so the solution is alkaline.

The nitrogen lone pair is responsible for proton acceptance and ligand behaviour. NH₃ and NH₄⁺ are different species: ammonia is the molecule; ammonium is the protonated ion.

NH₃ + H⁺ → NH₄⁺. Haber → NH₃.