Question

Describe with chemical equation the Laboratory method for the preparation of ammonia. Write its reaction with the following:
A.Oxygen in presence of platinum at ${800^ \circ }C$
B.Red hot copper oxide

Answer 1

Ammonia is a colorless gas with the chemical formula $N{H_3}$ . This inorganic compound has a pungent smell and it is dangerous and caustic in its concentrated form. It is easily made in the laboratory by heating an ammonium salt with a strong alkali such as sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide.

Complete step by step answer:
So, basically ammonia is an inorganic compound which has a pungent smell and is much lighter than air. Further, it is known as ammonium hydroxide in its aqueous form. It consists of hydrogen and nitrogen. Its structure is as shown:

Now, ammonia is produced in the laboratory by heating an ammonium salt such as ammonium chloride with a strong alkali such as sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide. The reaction is as shown:
$2N{H_4}Cl + Ca{(OH)_2}\xrightarrow{\Delta }CaC{l_2} + 2N{H_3} + 2{H_2}O$
Further it reacts with oxygen in presence of platinum and red hot copper oxide. The equations are given below:
With oxygen in presence of platinum at ${800^ \circ }C$
$4N{H_3} + 5{O_2}\xrightarrow[{{{800}^ \circ }C}]{{Pt}}4NO + 6{H_2}O$
With red hot copper oxide
$2N{H_3} + 3CuO\xrightarrow{\Delta }3Cu + 3{H_2}O + {N_2}$
Moreover, ammonia gas can also be prepared by warming concentrated ammonium hydroxide.

Note: Some of the uses of ammonia are, it is used as fertilizer as it increases the yield of crops, in food products as an antimicrobial agent, in fermentation industry, as pH adjuster in the fermentation process, as a fuel for rocket engines, in manufacture of synthetic fiber like rayon and nylon and many more.