how do you determine what species are present in NH3 soltuion? I don't understand what exactly the species are.
NH3 reacts with water as follows:
NH3 + HOH <--> NH4+ + OH^-
Now what is in the solution?
NH4^+, OH^-, and NH3(aq).
Those are the three species.
thanks. That makes sense now that i see it, i just forgot what species meant. Thanks for your help DrBob!
To determine what species are present in an NH3 solution, you need to understand that in chemistry, a species refers to a type of molecule or ion that is present in a substance. In the case of NH3 (ammonia), it can exist as both a neutral molecule and as an ion depending on the pH of the solution.
Here's a step-by-step approach to determine what species are present in an NH3 solution:
1. Understand the pH: The pH of the solution will determine the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) present. This is important because NH3 can react with H+ to form its conjugate acid, NH4+.
2. Write the chemical equation: When NH3 reacts with H+, the balanced chemical equation is NH3 + H+ ⇌ NH4+. This equation represents the acid-base equilibrium between ammonia (NH3) and its conjugate acid, ammonium ion (NH4+).
3. Determine the major species: Based on the pH, you can determine whether NH3 or NH4+ is the major species present in the solution.
- If the solution is basic (high pH), there will be fewer H+ ions available. Therefore, NH3 will be the major species.
- If the solution is acidic (low pH), there will be more H+ ions available. In this case, NH4+ will be the major species.
4. Consider other possible species: Besides ammonia (NH3) and its conjugate acid (NH4+), other species may be present if the solution contains additional substances. For example, if you dissolve ammonia in water, you would also have water molecules (H2O) in the solution.
It's worth noting that in a real solution, there may be various intermolecular interactions and complex equilibria, depending on the concentrations and other factors. Conducting further analysis, such as using spectroscopic techniques or performing titrations, can provide more detailed information on the exact species present in the solution.
In summary, to determine what species are present in an NH3 solution, you need to consider the pH and the acid-base equilibrium between NH3 and its conjugate acid. Understanding the concept of species and their behavior in different conditions is essential to grasp the composition of a solution.