📖 Properties of NH₃ and HCl▼

Ammonia (NH₃)

  • • Basic nature (Turns red litmus blue)
  • • Highly soluble in water
  • • Fountain Exp: with red litmus solution the jet rushes up and turns it blue (a blue fountain).

Hydrogen Chloride (HCl)

  • • Acidic nature (Turns blue litmus red)
  • • Highly soluble in water
  • • Fountain Exp: with blue litmus solution the jet rushes up and turns it red (a red fountain).

Confirmatory Test (Dense White Fumes)

NH₃(g) + HCl(g) → NH₄Cl(s)

When a glass rod dipped in one gas is brought near the other, they combine to form solid particles of Ammonium Chloride, appearing as dense white fumes.

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Both gases are very soluble. Think about the nature of the selected gas.

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⚠️ Safety

  • Ammonia gas has a sharp, pungent, choking smell and irritates the eyes, nose and lungs — smell only by gentle wafting, in a fume cupboard.
  • Hydrogen chloride gas is acidic, corrosive and irritating to the respiratory tract — avoid inhaling.
  • Both dense-fume components come from concentrated ammonia and concentrated HCl, which are corrosive — wear goggles and gloves.
  • The dense white fumes (NH₄Cl) are an irritant — do the test in a well-ventilated area.
Red Litmus Solution NH₃
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