HCl (hydrochloric acid) is an acidic chemical with a distinguishable pungent smell. Ammonium Hydroxide is a colourless weak base. Let us examine some facts about HCl and NH4OH.
HCl and NH4OH react to form salt and water which is known as neutralization reaction. NH4OH is a solution of ammonia with water and plays a role of food acidity regulator in animals. NH4OH does not ionize completely into NH4+ and OH– in its aqueous state.
In this article, we will discuss various facts on HCl+NH4OH reaction like a chemical equation, type of reaction, intermolecular forces present, ionic equations etc.,
What is the product of HCl and NH4OH
HCl and NH4OH react to form Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and water (H2O) is released.
HCl + NH4OH = NH4Cl + H2O.
What type of reaction is HCl and NH4OH
HCl + NH4OH is a neutralization reaction. Here HCl is a strong acid, NH4OH is a weak base and the salt formed due to the reaction is NH4Cl.
How to balance HCl and NH4OH
Following steps are involved in balancing the chemical equation:
HCl + NH4OH = NH4Cl + H2O.
- We need to write the general chemical equation.
- As evident from the equation that the number atoms are equal on both sides of the equation; therefore, there is no need to change the given chemical equation.
HCl and NH4OH titration
NH4OH and HCl titration is an acid-base titration. The following steps are involved in the titration of HCl and NH4OH.
Apparatus Used:
Conical flask, burette, burette stand, volumetric flask, beakers and measuring cylinders.
Indicator:
Methyl orange is used as an indicator.
Procedure:
- Wash, rinse and then fill the burette with the solution of NH4OH and note the initial reading of the burette.
- Pipette out 20mL of HCl solution and transfer it into a clear titration flask.
- Add 2-3 drops of methyl orange indicator into the titration flask to check the reaction’s end-point.
- Add sodium hydroxide solution to the titration flask dropwise till the colour of the solution changes.
- Note the reading of the burette when colour of solution changed and found the volume of sodium hydroxide solution used to neutralize the HCl solution.
- Repeat the experiment to get more concurrent readings.
HCl and NH4OH net ionic equation
Net ionic equation for the given chemical equation is
H+(aq.) + OH– (aq.) = H2O(l).
To derive the net ionic equation, following steps should be followed.
- The balanced general molecular equation is written.
- HCl + NH4OH = NH4Cl + H2O.
- Denote the chemical state of each compound, i.e., solid, liquid, gas or aqueous solution.
- HCl (aq.) + NH4OH (aq.) = NH4Cl (aq.) + H2O (l)
- Split the soluble compounds into ions.
- H+ (aq.) + Cl– (aq.) + NH4+ (aq.) + OH– (aq.) = NH4+ (aq.) + Cl– (aq.) + H2O (l)
- Ions which are present on both sides to get the net ionic equation is cancelled out.
- Thus, the net ionic equation is-
- H+(aq.) + OH– (aq.) = H2O(l).
HCl and NH4OH conjugate pairs
- Conjugate base of HCl is Cl– ion
- Conjugate acid for NH4OH is NH4NO3 ion.
- NH4+ is the conjugate acid of ammonia (NH3).
HCl and NH4OH intermolecular force
- Dipole-dipole and London dispersion are the forces of interaction between HCl molecules.
- Hydrogen bonding plays an important role as intermolecular force in NH4OH molecule.
- Ionic bonds are present between NH4Cl molecules as intermolecular force.
HCl and NH4OH reaction enthalpy
The reaction enthalpy for the reaction between HCl and NH4OH is -77.1 kJ/mol. Enthalpy of formation for molecules present in the reaction is as follows:
| Molecules | Enthalpy of formation (in kJ/mol) |
|---|---|
| HCl | –167.16 |
| NH4OH | -356 |
| NH4Cl | -314.8 |
| H2O | -285.8 |
- ΔfH = Formation enthalpy of products – formation enthalpy of reactants.
- Thus, ΔfH = -314.8 – 285.8 – (-167.16 -356)
- Therefore, ΔfH = -77.1 kJ/mol.
Is HCl and NH4OH a buffer solution
The reaction mixture of HCl and NH4OH is not a buffer solution because of the presence of HCl which is a very strong acid.
Is HCl and NH4OH a complete reaction
HCl + NH4OH is a complete reaction because final products such as Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and release water (H2O).
Is HCl and NH4OH an exothermic or endothermic reaction
HCl + NH4OH is exothermic reaction as the reaction enthalpy has a negative value and heat is released during the process.
Is HCl and NH4OH a redox reaction
HCl + NH4OH is not a redox reaction because there is no change in the oxidation states of the molecules throughout the chemical process.
Is HCl and NH4OH a precipitation reaction
HCl + NH4OH is not a precipitation reaction as all the products formed are soluble and no precipitates are formed after completion of the reaction.
Is HCl and NH4OH reversible or irreversible reaction
HCl + NH4OH reaction is irreversible because it belongs to the category of neutralization reaction, where HCl reacts with NH4OH to form NH4Cl salt and water, which cannot be reverted once obtained.
Is HCl and NH4OH displacement reaction
HCl + NH4OH is a double displacement reaction where NH4 displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid and combines with chlorine atom to form a salt. H+ then combines with OH– ion to produce water.
Conclusion:
We can conclude that reaction between HCl and NH4OH s exothermic and irreversible. HCl+NH4OH is a double displacement reaction and oxidation states of reactants and products remained unchanged.
Hi, I am Sahil Singh. I completed my graduation in Bachelor of Science. I always have keen interest in Physics & Chemistry. I worked on my own blog for 1 year in the technology and gaming niche. I try my best to provide valuable knowledge through my articles.
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