Dry ammonia has no action on litmus paper but a solution of ammonia in water turns red litmus paper blue. Why is it so?

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Solution

$N H_{3}$ is basic in nature but only in its aqueous form. When $N H_{3}$ reacts with water, $N H_{4} O H$ is formed which is a base and contains $N H_{4}^{+}$ and $O H^{-}$ ions. Hence, the red litmus turns blue.

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Similar questions

Dry ammonia gas has no action on litmus paper but a solution of ammonia in water turns red litmus paper blue.
Why is it so ?

What would you observe when :

(a) blue litmus is introduced into a solution of hydrogen chloride gas,

(b) red litmus paper is introduced into a solution of ammonia in water,

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