Chemical Symbol: NH3
Synonyms: Anhydrous Ammonia
Description
Ammonia is the formed by a chemical combination of gaseous nitrogen
and hydrogen, with one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen. At room
temperature and atmospheric pressure, ammonia is a pungent, colorless
gas. It may be compressed and cooled to a colorless liquid. Liquid
ammonia is lighter than water and in gaseous form it is lighter than
air. Ammonia burns at atmospheric pressure, but only when an air-ammonia
mixture contains between 16 and 25 percent ammonia.
Uses
Ammonia is most commonly used in agriculture as a source of nitrogen,
which is essential for plant growth. It is widely used in the fertilizer
industry to produce materials such as ammonium salts, nitrate salts
and urea. Ammonia is also used as a source of protein in livestock
feeds for ruminating animals. Furthermore, ammonia is used in the production
of nitric acid, which is used in making explosives. Ammonia can also
be used as a refrigerant, the making of ammonium salts, alkalies, dyes,
pharmaceuticals, synthetic textile fibers, plastics, treatment of acidic
wastes and several other minor areas of use.
