Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate Dissolved In Water

Baking Soda in Water: A Closer Look at Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate's Aqueous Solution

Ammonium hydrogen carbonate (NH₄HCO₃), more commonly known as ammonium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline salt that readily dissolves in water. While less familiar than its cousin, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), it plays a vital role in various industries, from baking and pharmaceuticals to fire extinguishers and fertilizer production. Understanding how ammonium hydrogen carbonate behaves when dissolved in water is key to appreciating its applications and safety considerations.

1. Dissolution and Dissociation: What Happens at the Molecular Level?

When ammonium hydrogen carbonate is added to water, it undergoes dissolution, meaning the solid crystals break apart and disperse into the water. This process is facilitated by the polar nature of water molecules, which interact with the charged ions of the ammonium hydrogen carbonate. More specifically, ammonium hydrogen carbonate dissociates (breaks apart) into its constituent ions: ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻). This can be represented by the following chemical equation:

NH₄HCO₃(s) → NH₄⁺(aq) + HCO₃⁻(aq)

The "(s)" denotes the solid state, and "(aq)" indicates that the ions are now dissolved in the aqueous (water) solution. This dissociation is crucial for many of the compound's properties and applications.

2. Acidity and pH: A Slightly Acidic Solution

While pure water is neutral (pH 7), a solution of ammonium hydrogen carbonate is slightly acidic. This is because the bicarbonate ion (HCO₃⁻) can act as a weak acid, donating a proton (H⁺) to water molecules. This reaction creates carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which further decomposes into water and carbon dioxide. The equilibrium between these reactions results in a solution with a pH slightly below 7, typically around 7.8 - 8.0 depending on concentration and temperature. This slight acidity is important to consider when using ammonium hydrogen carbonate in applications sensitive to pH levels.

3. Decomposition: The Release of Carbon Dioxide

One of the key characteristics of ammonium hydrogen carbonate is its tendency to decompose, particularly when heated or exposed to slightly acidic conditions. This decomposition leads to the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂), ammonia (NH₃), and water (H₂O). This reaction can be represented as:

NH₄HCO₃(aq) → NH₃(g) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

The "(g)" denotes the gaseous state, and "(l)" denotes the liquid state. This decomposition is responsible for the leavening action of ammonium bicarbonate in baking, as the released CO₂ creates bubbles in the dough, causing it to rise. However, excessive heat or prolonged exposure to acidic substances can accelerate this process, potentially affecting the desired outcome of a recipe.

4. Applications: From Baking to Pharmaceuticals

Ammonium hydrogen carbonate's unique properties make it useful in various applications:

Baking: It acts as a leavening agent, similar to baking soda, but with a slightly faster reaction. It’s particularly useful in recipes where the use of baking soda is not desirable due to its potential reaction with acids. For example, some cookies or crackers are best leavened only with this compound.
Pharmaceuticals: It's used in some medications as a buffering agent or a source of carbon dioxide.
Fertilizers: Its high nitrogen content makes it a useful component in some fertilizers, though less common than other nitrogen sources.
Fire Extinguishers: It can generate CO2 gas for extinguishing fires, though less common compared to other agents.

5. Safety Precautions: Handling Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate

While generally safe, handling ammonium hydrogen carbonate requires some precautions:

Avoid Inhalation: The released ammonia gas from decomposition can be irritating to the respiratory system. Good ventilation is crucial during handling.
Eye and Skin Contact: Avoid direct contact with eyes or skin. Rinse thoroughly with water if contact occurs.
Storage: Store it in a cool, dry place, away from acids and heat sources to prevent premature decomposition.

Key Takeaways:

Ammonium hydrogen carbonate dissolves in water to form ammonium and bicarbonate ions.
The solution is slightly acidic.
It readily decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide, ammonia, and water, especially when heated or exposed to acidic conditions.
Its applications are diverse, spanning various industries.
Proper handling and storage are necessary to ensure safety.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Is ammonium hydrogen carbonate the same as baking soda? No, ammonium hydrogen carbonate (ammonium bicarbonate) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) are different compounds with slightly different properties. Ammonium bicarbonate decomposes at lower temperatures and produces ammonia gas, while baking soda does not produce ammonia.

2. Can I substitute ammonium hydrogen carbonate for baking soda in all recipes? Not necessarily. The different decomposition products and reaction rates mean that direct substitution may not yield the same results in terms of rise and flavor.

3. Why does ammonium hydrogen carbonate have a slight ammonia smell? The slight ammonia smell is due to the slow decomposition of the compound, even at room temperature, which releases small amounts of ammonia gas.

4. Is ammonium hydrogen carbonate dangerous? While generally safe, it requires proper handling to avoid inhalation of ammonia gas and direct contact with skin or eyes.

5. What happens if I heat ammonium hydrogen carbonate too much? Excessive heating will accelerate the decomposition process, potentially resulting in a significant release of ammonia and carbon dioxide, impacting the intended outcome in baking or other applications.

Search Results:

AMMONIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE - CDH Fine Chemical Disposal: Dissolve the chemical to be disposed, in water and allow it to run to waste, diluting with large quantities of water. The quantities greater than 10g should be dissolved in water and transferred to heavy metal waste drums for

SAFETY DATA SHEET - Thermo Fisher Scientific Ammonium hydrogen carbonate SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 1 / 8 Creation Date 03-Jul-2014 Revision Date 06-Mar-2024 Version 3 ALFAAA18566 SECTION 1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUBSTANCE/MIXTURE AND OF THE COMPANY/UNDERTAKING 产品说明:碳酸氢铵 Product Description: Ammonium hydrogen carbonate Cat No. : A18566 Synonyms Ammonium …

Chemistry 20 Lesson 20 Dissociation - Structured Independent … A solution contains 9.61 g of ammonium carbonate dissolved in water to form 400 mL of solution. What is the concentration of each ion in solution? We first calculate the concentration of (NH 4) 2 CO 3 (aq): (NH 4) 2 CO 3 (s) 2 NH 4 + (aq) + CO 3 2 (aq) 4 mol NH L 2 c 0.250 1 = 0.500 mol/L 2 3 mol CO L 1 c 0.250 1 = 0.250 mol/L g mol mol L m 9.61g

SAFETY DATA SHEET - fishersci.co.uk Ammonium hydrogen carbonate Revision Date 19-Oct-2023 6.2. Environmental precautions Do not flush into surface water or sanitary sewer system. 6.3. Methods and material for containment and cleaning up Sweep up and shovel into suitable containers for disposal. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal. 6.4. Reference to other sections

Table of Solubilities of Inorganic Compounds in Water - Mr. All sulfides are insoluble EXCEPT those containing ammonium, alkali metal ions, or alkaline earth metal ions. All oxides are insoluble EXCEPT those containing calcium, barium, or alkali metal ions. These soluble ones actually react with the water that they’re dissolved in, …

Solution and concentration calculations answers at the end of the ... A sample of sodium hydrogen carbonate crystals, Na 2 CO 3.10H 2 O, had been heated too strongly and lost some of its waters of crystallisation. 2.696 g of the solid were dissolved in water and made up to 250 cm3 in a volumetric flask. In a series of titrations, 25.0 cm 3 portions of the solution were titrated with 0.10 mol dm-

Safety Data Sheet: Ammonium hydrogen carbonate Ammonium hydrogen carbonate ≥98 %, Ph.Eur., BP article number: 7094 Malta (en) Page 3 / 14

AMMONIUM CARBONATE FOR HPLC - cdhfinechemical.com Disposal: Dissolve the chemical to be disposed, in water and allow it to run to waste, diluting with large quantities of water. The quantities greater than 10g should be dissolved in water and transferred to heavy metal waste drums for collection by …

SODIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE & SODIUM CARBONATE The carbon dioxide is dissolved in water. When it dissolves, some of it forms carbonic acid, H2CO3. Some of the carbonic acid dissociates, producing hydrogen carbonate ions.

Safety Data Sheet: Ammonium hydrogen carbonate - Carl Roth According to the results of its assessment, this substance is not a PBT or a vPvB. Does not contain an endocrine disruptor (ED) at a concentration of ≥ 0,1%. Take off contaminated clothing. Provide fresh air. In all cases of doubt, or when symptoms persist, seek medical advice. Rinse skin with water/shower.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Chemistry - Hydranautics Ammonium salts are very soluble and do not cause a RO scaling problem. The ammonium ion is the result of very soluble gaseous ammonia (NH. being dissolved in water. Non-ionized ammonia ionizes in water to form the ammonium ion and hydroxide ion.

AMMONIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE - Food and Agriculture … Dissolve 4 g of the sample in 40 ml of water, add about 10mg of sodium carbonate and 1 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide, and evaporate the solution to dryness on a steam bath.

AMMONIUM CARBONATE AR/ACS - CDH Fine Chemical Disposal: Dissolve the chemical to be disposed, in water and allow it to run to waste, diluting with large quantities of water. The quantities greater than 10g should be dissolved in water and transferred to heavy metal waste drums for collection by …

AMMONIUM BICARBONATE FFQ 035 - Esseco Synonyms : Ammonium hydrogen carbonate. Raw materials : Ammonia (> 21.1% NH3) and carbon dioxide (> 55.% CO2). Bulk density : 0.85 kg/dm3 approx. pH (20°C, 5%) : 8.0 approx. Water solubility : increases with the temperature according to the following table:

AMMONIUM CARBONATE - Food and Agriculture Organization Dissolve 4 g of the sample in 40 ml of water, add about 10mg of sodium carbonate and 1 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide, and evaporate the solution to dryness on a steam bath.

ACIDS, BASES, PH, BUFFERS & TITRATION WEBINAR Ammonium chloride, when dissolved in water, can act as a weak acid as shown by the following equation. NH 4 +(aq) NH 3 (aq) + H+(aq) The following figure shows a graph of data obtained by a student when a solution of sodium hydroxide was added to a …

SODIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE - 药物在线 Dissolve the substance to be examined in water R to obtain a solution containing a quantity equivalent to about 10 mg of the dried substance per millilitre. Test solution (b). Mix equal volumes of test solution (a) and water R. Reference solutions.

Application Note # 97 – Alkalinity and Hardness by ... - Mantech Water high in dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium is described as hard water. Detection of total and speciatedhardness by potentiometric titration is an accurate and efficient way to determine the hardness of a sample without the addition of indicators to the sample.

AMMONIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE AR - cdhfinechemical.com Disposal: Dissolve the chemical to be disposed, in water and allow it to run to waste, diluting with large quantities of water. The quantities greater than 10g should be dissolved in water and transferred to heavy metal waste drums for collection by specialist disposal company.

SAFETY DATA SHEET Revision Date 09/06/2024 Version 6 Synonyms : Ammonium hydrogen carbonate Formula : CH 5 NO 3 Molecular weight : 79.06 g/mol CAS-No. : 1066-33-7 EC-No. : 213-911-5 Component Classification Concentration ammonium hydrogen carbonate Acute Tox. 4; Aquatic Acute 3; H302, H402 <= 100 % For the full text of the H-Statements mentioned in this Section, see Section 16.