15 Facts on HBr + NH3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

A chemical reaction between hydrobromic acid (HBr) and ammonia (NH3) can occur in both the gas. Let us go over each trait in more detail.

Ammonia is a weak base, but hydrobromic acid is a strong acid. These two substances react to form an acidic salt. At room temperature, the reaction’s pH stays below 7.

This post will detail the net ionic reaction, titration, buffer solution, and many other topics connected to the HBr and NH3 reactions.

1. What is the product of HBr and NH3?

HBr + NH3 reaction gives ammonium bromide (NH4Br), a white solid, as a product.

HBr +NH3 -> NH4Br

2. What type of reaction is HBr + NH3?

HBr+ NH3 is a combination reaction in which only one single product is formed by combining two chemical compounds.

3. How to balance HBr + NH3?

HBr + NH3 reaction is to be balanced and the H, Br, and N atoms must all be in equal numbers on either side of the equation.

HBr+ NH3= NH4Br

  • Since there are three molecules, we first give them the labels A, B, and C. The response appears as follows:
  • A HBr+ B NH3 = C NH4Br
  • The correct values are now used to calculate the number of coefficients indicated as alphabets in the reactants and products.
ElementReaction sideProduct side
Hydrogen1A+3B4C
Bromine1A+0B1C
Nitrogen0A+1B1C
Number of coefficient of each atom on reactant and product sides
  • The Gaussian elimination method is used to acquire the coefficient and variables needed to balance the equation in Step 3.
  • There is now an equal amount of each element on the reactant and product sides.
ElementReaction sideProduct side
Hydrogen44
Bromine11
Nitrogen11
Equal number of elements
  • Thus, the balanced equation is,
  • HBr+ NH3= NH4Br

4. HBr + NH3 titration

HBr+ NH3 titration is done by the volumetric analysis process using a pH indicator.

Utilized equipments:

  • Tools utilized are the measuring cylinder, conical flask, burette, and beaker.

Titre and Titrant:

  • HBr is the titre whose concentration needs to be analyzed.
  • NH3 is the titrant here whose concentration is known.

Indicator:

  • The “Methyl red” indicator is employed for the titration.

Procedure:

  • Create a batch solution with 250 ml of HBr and NH3, measure it with a cylinder, and then add a few drops of the indicator. The color will switch from red to yellow at the equivalency point when n(HBr) = n(NH3). (n= number of moles).

Neutralization reaction:

  • The neutralizing reaction is as follows: HBr (aq) + NH3 (aq) -> NH4Br (aq)
  • Because HBr is a powerful acid and completely dissociates, this reaction is completed. When the H+ ions interact with the NH3, NH4+ ions are created.
  • The HBr, in this situation, is the limiting reactant in this neutralization process. Because NH3 is not the limiting reactant, some are left over, and some NH4Br is produced.

5. HBr + NH3 net ionic equation

Net ionic equation for HBr+ NH3 reaction is: NH3(aq) + H+(aq) = NH4+(aq) .

  • A molecular equation must take into account and balance each compound’s phase.
  • HBr(aq) + NH3(aq)= NH4Br(aq)
  • It is necessary to convert the aqueous salts or chemicals in the equation into ions. Since weak electrolytes can dissociate, only strong electrolytes should be dissolved.
  • H+(aq), Br(aq), and NH3 (aq) combine to form NH4+(aq) and Br(aq)
  • We remove the spectator ions to determine the species involved in the reaction.
  • The net ionic equation is as follows:
  • NH3(aq) + H+(aq) = NH4+(aq)  

6. HBr+ NH3 conjugate pairs

HBr+NH3 conjugate pairs differ from one proton. It is as follows:

  • HBr is an acid with the conjugate base Cl
  • NH3 is a base with the conjugate acid of NH4+

7. HBr and NH3 intermolecular forces

HBr+NH3 shows the following intermolecular forces:

  • HBr shows dipole-dipole force as it is a polar molecule.
  • HBr shows a very weak London dispersion force.
  • NH3 shows hydrogen bonding as acidic protons are attached to nitrogen atom.
  • NH3 shows dipole-dipole interaction as it has a polar structure.
  • NH3 also projects dispersion forces and Van der Waals due to high dipole moment
ElementVan der Waals radius (Å)
Hydrogen1.20
Bromine1.90
Nitrogen1.09
Van der Waals radius

8. HBr+ NH3 reaction enthalpy

The enthalpy or reaction between HBr + NH3 is -277.68 KJ/mol.

MoleculesMolesEnthalpy of formation, ΔH0f (KJ/mol)
HBr1-39.12
NH31 46
NH4Br1-270.8
Bond enthalpy values
  • Use the following formula to compute the reaction’s standard enthalpy:
  • ΔH0f (reaction) = ΣΔH0f (product) – ΣΔH0f (reactants)  
  • The reaction enthalpy of HBr and NH3 is: [-270.8- {(-39.12) + 46)}] KJ/mol= -277.68KJ/mol.

9. Is HBr + NH3 a buffer solution?

HBr + NH3 acts as a buffer solution because only NH4+ and NH3 are present in the solution, along with a few Br spectator ions and water, which serves as our solvent.

10. Is HBr + NH3 a complete reaction?

HBr+NH3 reaction completes because HBr is a potent acid and completely dissociates. The H+ ions react with the NH3 to create NH4+ ions.

11. Is HBr+ NH3 an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

HBr + NH3 interaction is exothermic, releasing a significant quantity of heat while it takes place.

HBr NH3
Energy diagram of the exothermic reaction

12. Is HBr+ NH3 a redox reaction?

HBr + NH3 is not a redox reaction because neither the oxidation state of the chemical molecule in the reactant nor that of the product changes during the HBr + NH3 reaction. Instead, hydrogen ions are transferred.

13. Is HBr+ NH3 a precipitation reaction?

HBr + NH3 is not a precipitation reaction as ammonium bromide, a salt that is easily soluble in water is produced as a byproduct of the reaction.

14. Is HBr+ NH3 reversible or irreversible reaction?

HBr + NH3 is an irreversible reaction because the end products, ammonium bromide, cannot be revert back to initial reactants.

15. Is HBr + NH3 displacement reaction?

HBr + NH3 is not a displacement reaction. Because there is no ion exchange occurring during the reaction, HBr + NH3 cannot be classified as a displacement reaction.

Conclusion

Ammonium bromide salt is produced in the HBr+ NH3 reaction, which illustrates a strong acid-weak base reaction. It is utilized in photography, films, plates, and sheets. It also serves as a fireproofing agent for wood and a corrosion inhibitor.