Here's why:
* Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is a salt formed from a weak base (ammonia, NH₃) and a strong acid (nitric acid, HNO₃). In solution, it releases ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻).
* Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base, releasing sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in solution.
The reaction:
NH₄NO₃ (aq) + NaOH (aq) → NH₃ (aq) + H₂O (l) + NaNO₃ (aq)
In this reaction:
* Ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) react with hydroxide ions (OH⁻) to form ammonia (NH₃) and water (H₂O). This is the classic acid-base neutralization reaction.
* Sodium ions (Na⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻) remain in solution as spectator ions, not directly involved in the main reaction.
Key points:
* The reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat.
* The ammonia produced is a weak base, so the solution will be slightly basic after the reaction.
* This reaction is commonly used to prepare ammonia in the laboratory.
