Ammonia- Physical Properties:
– a colourless gas
– has a characteristic pungent odour
– density is 0.589 times thinner than that of air
– boiling point is – 33.35 C
– freezing point is – 77.7 C
– has a high heat of vaporization
Chemical Properties:
– easily absorbed by water (ammonia in water solution is called aqua ammonia or ammonium hydroxide)
– will react with and corrode copper, zinc, and many alloys
– will combine with mercury to form a fulminate (an unstable explosive compound)
– is classified by the Department of Transportation as nonflammable. However, ammonia vapor in high concentrations (16 to 25 percent by weight in air) will burn. The fire hazard from ammonia is increased by the presence of oil or other combustible materials.
– Anhydrous ammonia is an alkali
