chemical is ammonium nitrate, which is a formula NH4NO3, is well known to chemists for a long time, even in 1659 it opened the I. R. Glauber.In the literature circulated another name for this compound - ammonium nitrate.Externally, the ammonium nitrate is white crystals having high hygroscopicity.The boiling point of the compound is 235 ° C and at 169.6 ° C, ammonium nitrate starts to melt.There are several crystal modifications, which are quite significant effect on the chemical and physical properties of its scope.
For example, these differences lie in the fact that different versions of the crystals have a different kind of lattice.In total there are five such modifications.For the first modification is characterized by the cubic shape of the crystal lattice, for the 2nd and 5th - tetragonicheskaya for the 3rd and 4th - rhombic.Thus as a result of transitions from one compound to another modification found a gradual but steady increase in the cell volume.This property is responsible for the difference in chemical properties.Thus, for example, modification IV material has a density 1.725 g / cm3, melting temperature is already 139,4S °.
solubility of ammonium nitrate as follows: one hundred grams of water at 0 ° C 119 grams of the substance is dissolved at a temperature of 25 ° C is already dissolved 212 grams and at 50 ° C - 346 grams of ammonium nitrate.Additionally, ammonium nitrate can be dissolved in pyridine, methanol and ethanol.A very important characteristic of the compounds appears that under the action of a pin, or when the ambient temperature of over 270 ° C, ammonium nitrate is decomposed causing an explosive effect.
Using indicators you can define an acidic environment, which contains ammonium nitrate hydrolysis with his participation is a reaction equation which can be written as: NH4NO3 + H2O = NH4OH + HNO3.Ammonium nitrate reacts with alkaline solutions.As a result of such reactions produce ammonia, and the reaction process serves as a qualitative response to ammonium nitrate.
Generally, a substance produced by carrying out neutralization of 60% HNO3.As the neutralizing agent used in the NH3 gas.In the process heat is released, which is submitted to evaporation of the solution of ammonium nitrate and the resulting material in the form of granules.
most common use of ammonium nitrate received in agriculture, as a valuable nitrogen fertilizer.Connection is actively used in the manufacture of explosives, as well as a reagent - as a solvent in the fuel elements zirconium, during the recovery operations of nuclear waste.Physical and chemical properties cause a permanent increase in demand in the substance, so its production is steadily growing and today reaches 20 million tons per year, with the share of recalculated substance nitrogen.
Ammonium nitrate can be obtained in the laboratory in compliance with the strictest safety precautions and safety regulations.To do this in an ice bath mixing produce highly dilute nitric acid and aqueous ammonia (aqueous ammonia solution).In carrying out the reaction is best remotely, for example using a manipulator and is at a sufficiently safe distance from the location of the mixed solution.Carrying out the reaction is constant admixture acid in the solution of ammonia at periodic inspection indicator (litmus test) to achieve the state of neutrality.In the same manner, and provides control over the reaction.Exceeding acidic environment - are added to a solution of an alkaline component, and vice versa.
