Question

Ammonia gas is evolved on warming ammonium salt with sodium hydroxide solution. Explain three tests by which you can identify the gas.

Answer 1

Ammonia $\left({\mathrm{NH}}_3\right)$ gas can be identified in three ways:
1. It has a distinct, strong odor. Ammonium chloride fumes are generated when a glass rod dipped in $\mathrm{HCl}$ is brought into contact with the gas.
2. When it bubbles through a solution of lead nitrate, it produces a white precipitate.
3. When handled with Nessler's reagent, it becomes brown or precipitates.