Question

Ammonium chloride and sodium oxide are mixed in a boiling tube and then heated. Write balanced equation based on the chemical reaction described. State the chemical test if necessary?

Answer 1

`2NH_4Cl + Na_2O(s) rarr 2NaCl(s)+2NH_3(g)uarr +H_2O(l)`

Explanation:

`2NH_4Cl + Na_2O(s) rarr 2NaCl(s)+2NH_3(g)uarr +H_2O(l)`

This is simply an acid base reaction.......i.e.

`O^(2-) + 2H^+ rarr H_2O(l)`

Ammonium is the carrier for the acidium ion, `H^+`.....

And the test of the reaction? We would expect that the fumes given off by the reaction would have the penetrating (and unmistakable!) smell of ammonia. The fumes given off would also give a high `pH` value when when litmus or indicator paper were used.........due to the basic behaviour of ammonia gas....

`NH_3(aq) + H_2O(l) rarr NH_4^+ + HO^-`