Question

Solution E has a pH of 13, solution F has a pH of 6 and solution G has a pH of 2.

(b) Which solution liberates ammonia from ammonium nitrate on heating?

Answer 1

The pH of a solution:

1. The pH of a solution is the negative logarithm to the base 10 of the hydrogen ion concentration expressed in moles per litre.
2. The number 7 on the pH scale represents the neutrality of the solution.
3. The numbers less than 7 represent the increase in acidic properties of a solution.
4. The numbers greater than 7 represent the increase in basic properties of a solution.

(b) Ammonium nitrate $\left({\mathrm{NH}}_4{\mathrm{NO}}_2\right)$ is acidic in nature as it is formed from a weak base and a strong acid. So to liberate the ammonia $\left({\mathrm{NH}}_3\right)$ from the compound, it should be reacted with a strong base, i.e., the solution E with a pH of 13.