What is the molecular formula of the compound ammonia
The correct answer and explanation is:
The molecular formula of ammonia is NH₃.
Ammonia is a compound consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. In the molecular formula NH₃, the “N” represents nitrogen, and the “H” represents hydrogen. The subscript “3” next to hydrogen indicates that there are three hydrogen atoms for each nitrogen atom in the molecule. Ammonia is a colorless gas at room temperature and has a pungent odor.
The nitrogen atom in ammonia is bonded to three hydrogen atoms through covalent bonds. Nitrogen has five valence electrons, while hydrogen has one valence electron. Nitrogen needs three more electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration, while each hydrogen atom needs one more electron to complete its duet. By sharing electrons through covalent bonding, the nitrogen atom completes its octet, and the hydrogen atoms complete their duet. This sharing results in the formation of a stable molecule.
Ammonia plays a significant role in the nitrogen cycle, which is essential for life on Earth. It is a key building block for amino acids and proteins. Ammonia is also used industrially in the production of fertilizers, cleaning products, and explosives. The ability of ammonia to act as a base is crucial in various chemical reactions, such as neutralizing acids to form ammonium salts.
The physical properties of ammonia, such as its boiling point and its high solubility in water, are attributed to the hydrogen bonding between ammonia molecules and water molecules. Ammonia is commonly produced by the Haber process, a method that synthesizes ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases under high pressure and temperature with the help of a catalyst.