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Aqueous solutions of ammonia, \(\mathrm{NH}_{3}\), were once thought to be solutions of an ionic compound (ammonium hydroxide, \(\left.\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{OH}\right)\) in order to explain how the solutions could contain hydroxide ion. Using the Br酶nsted-Lowry concept, show how \(\mathrm{NH}_{3}\) yields hydroxide ion in aqueous solution without involving the species \(\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{OH}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
NH鈧 acts as a base and accepts a proton from H鈧侽, forming NH鈧勨伜 and OH鈦 via the Br酶nsted-Lowry concept. NH鈧凮H is not needed to explain the presence of OH鈦.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Br酶nsted-Lowry Concept

The Br酶nsted-Lowry concept of acids and bases describes an acid as a proton (H鈦) donor and a base as a proton acceptor. This framework allows us to explain the behavior of ammonia (NH鈧) in water without invoking the existence of ammonium hydroxide (NH鈧凮H).
02

Reaction of Ammonia with Water

In an aqueous solution, ammonia (NH鈧) acts as a base. It accepts a proton from a water molecule (H鈧侽), according to the Br酶nsted-Lowry definition, forming an ammonium ion (NH鈧勨伜) and a hydroxide ion (OH鈦). The chemical equation for this reaction is: \[ \mathrm{NH}_{3} + \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{NH}_{4}^{+} + \mathrm{OH}^{-} \]
03

Identify the Species Produced

The reaction shows that NH鈧 accepts a proton to become NH鈧勨伜, whereas H鈧侽 donates a proton to become OH鈦. Thus, hydroxide ions are produced directly in the solution without the need for ammonium hydroxide (NH鈧凮H) to be present as an intermediate or separate compound.
04

Conclusion Without Involving NH鈧凮H

From this analysis, you can see that NH鈧 yielding OH鈦 in solution follows from its role as a Br酶nsted-Lowry base. The presence of hydroxide ions is explained by the simple acid-base reaction between NH鈧 and water, negating the need for the existence of NH鈧凮H as a separate species.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Aqueous Solutions
An aqueous solution is a solution in which the solvent is water. Water, being a versatile solvent, can dissolve many substances, making it ideal for creating solutions. In an aqueous solution, substances are often dissociated into ions as a result of the interaction between their molecules and water. For instance, when ammonia (\(\text{NH}_3\)) is dissolved in water, it forms a homogeneous mixture where the ammonia molecules interact with water molecules.
The dissolution and interaction occur at the molecular level and are typically associated with reversible reactions that could be affected by factors like temperature and concentration.
Common characteristics of aqueous solutions include:
  • They are homogenous mixtures of solutes in water.
  • They facilitate chemical reactions due to the solubility of ionic substances.
  • They can conduct electricity if the solute dissociates into ions.
Understanding aqueous solutions is essential when exploring how substances like ammonia react and behave in water.
Ammonia
Ammonia (\(\text{NH}_3\)) is a colorless gas with a pungent odor and is highly soluble in water. It is a common compound found in fertilizers and cleaning products due to its nitrogen content. Ammonia's properties as a base in aqueous solutions can be explained through the Br酶nsted-Lowry acid-base theory.
As a base, ammonia accepts protons (\(\text{H}^+\)) from water molecules. This proton acceptance is what transforms ammonia into ammonium ions (\(\text{NH}_4^+\)), demonstrating its characteristic behavior as a base. The formation of hydroxide ions (\(\text{OH}^-\)) in this process reflects its basic nature.
Some key points about ammonia include:
  • It is a weak base, meaning it doesn't completely ionize in water.
  • Its ability to accept protons depends on the presence of the solvent (water).
  • The reaction it undergoes in water is reversible and reaches a chemical equilibrium.
Hydroxide Ion
The hydroxide ion (\(\text{OH}^-\)) is a diatomic anion formed by the dissociation of water or other chemical reactions involving bases. It is crucial in determining the basicity of a solution. In aqueous solutions, the presence of hydroxide ions signifies a basic or alkaline environment, as they raise the pH of the solution.
During the chemical reaction between ammonia and water, hydroxide ions are formed as a result of water molecules donating protons to ammonia. This process is illustrated by the equation: \[ \text{NH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{NH}_4^+ + \text{OH}^- \] The hydroxide ions produced contribute to the alkalinity of the solution, confirming ammonia's role as a Br酶nsted-Lowry base.
Key features of hydroxide ions include:
  • They are responsible for the basic characteristics of solutions.
  • They increase the solution's ability to conduct electricity due to their charge.
  • In biological systems, they play roles in maintaining pH balance and are part of metabolic processes.
Ammonium Ion
The ammonium ion (\(\text{NH}_4^+\)) forms when ammonia accepts a hydrogen ion (\(\text{H}^+\)) from a water molecule in an aqueous solution. This transformation is central to understanding ammonia's behavior as a base. When ammonia becomes an ammonium ion, it leads to the production of hydroxide ions, further indicating its basicity.
Here鈥檚 the balanced chemical equation for this conversion: \[ \text{NH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{NH}_4^+ + \text{OH}^- \] In this reaction, ammonia acts as a proton acceptor, and water acts as a proton donor. The reversible nature of this reaction illustrates the dynamic equilibrium that can establish in an aqueous environment.
Important aspects of ammonium ions include:
  • They are positively charged, contributing to the electrical conductivity in solutions.
  • They are less basic than ammonia but are crucial in forming ammonia's conjugate acid-base pair.
  • They play roles in various biological systems and industrial applications, particularly in fertilizers.
Chemical Reaction Equilibrium
Chemical reaction equilibrium is a state in which the forward and reverse reactions occur at the same rate, resulting in no overall change in the concentration of reactants and products over time. This concept is pivotal in understanding reactions in aqueous solutions, such as the interaction between ammonia and water.
In the context of the Br酶nsted-Lowry acid-base reaction involving ammonia, the equilibrium can be written as follows:\[ \text{NH}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{NH}_4^+ + \text{OH}^- \]At equilibrium, the concentrations of ammonia, ammonium ions, and hydroxide ions remain constant despite the continuous forward and backward reactions. Equilibrium ensures that the solution maintains a stable pH and reflects how chemical systems adapt to changes in concentration, temperature, or pressure.
Critical aspects of chemical reaction equilibrium include:
  • It allows us to predict the concentrations of species in a solution.
  • It demonstrates the reversible nature of many chemical reactions.
  • It is governed by the Equilibrium Constant (\(K_{eq}\)), which is specific for each reaction at a given temperature.
Understanding chemical equilibria is essential for grasping how reactions involving ammonia reach a stable state in aqueous solutions.

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