0
Ammonium Chloride is slightly acidic salt of NH4+ and Cl-. Though most people erroneously think ammonium chloride is a base (understandably from the "ammonium" part) it is actually an acidic salt.
The positive charge of NH4+ and Cl- essentially forms an ion-ion interaction similar to NaCl. The difference is that for the case of ammonium chloride this ion-ion interaction is strong enough such that it requires a degree of energy to break the ionic interaction. Room temperature distilled water provides a sufficient amount of energy needed to separate and solubilize these charges. If you want to think about the thermodynamics it can be shown thusly:
Free energy of solvation of ammonium chloride is some number dG = +X, indicating an endothermic process.
The heat/energy of room temperature water has a degree of heat or enthalpy of some number dH = -Y which is sufficient to change dG to a negative number: -X making it favorable.
In short, as the dG of the solvation of ammonium chloride becomes negative (more favorable), it is taking heat (enthalpy) from water, making it colder.
Hope this helps.
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Fran
Judy
Jordan
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the chemical reaction for Ammonium Chloride and distilled water?
When Ammonium Chloride is mixed with distilled water, the following reaction occurs: NH4Cl (s) + H2O (l) → NH4+ (aq) + Cl- (aq). It dissociates into ammonium ions (NH4+) and chloride ions (Cl-) in solution.
When mixed do ammonium chloride and calcium acetate create a precipitate?
Yes, when ammonium chloride reacts with calcium acetate, a precipitate of calcium chloride forms. Ammonium acetate, which is soluble in water, remains in solution.
Does ammonium chloride dissolve in water?
Yes, ammonium chloride is soluble in water. When added to water, ammonium chloride dissociates into ions of ammonium (NH4+) and chloride (Cl-) which become dispersed throughout the solvent.
What reactions does ammonium chloride and water produce?
When ammonium chloride is added to water, it dissociates into ammonium ions (NH4+) and chloride ions (Cl-). This process is endothermic, which means that it absorbs heat from the surroundings, leading to a decrease in temperature of the solution. The overall reaction is NH4Cl(s) + H2O(l) → NH4+(aq) + Cl-(aq).
What is the process of separating ammonium chloride from ammonium chloride and sodium chloride?
To separate ammonium chloride from a mixture of ammonium chloride and sodium chloride, you can dissolve the mixture in water to form a solution. Then, heat the solution to evaporate the water, leaving behind solid ammonium chloride due to its lower melting point compared to sodium chloride. This process is known as crystallization.
