Question

Question #c3d97

Answer 1

Ammonia is a compound , but the word "ammonium" relates only to the positive ion (`NH_4^+`)

Explanation:

Ammonia relates to the compound `NH_3`, whether it is in the gaseous state, or liquefied - but we're talking about the pure substance `NH_3` here, not a solution or mixture with anything else.

When ammonia is mixed with water, however, it deprotonates the water to a small extent, forming the ions `NH_4^+`+ and `OH^-` as follows: `NH_3 + H_2O ⇌ NH_4^+ + OH^−`

`NH_4^+` ions are known as " ammonium ions ", so the solution of ammonia in water (commonly called "household ammonia" or "ammonia solution") should really be referred to as " ammonium hydroxide ".