AMMONIA AND

NITRIC ACID
Unit 5.5
Teacher notes, textbook and online resources
Nitrogen cycle

Biologyonline.com
MAKING AMMONIA
Reactants:
Nitrogen from fractionally distilled air
Hydrogen from steam cracking methane

Reaction:
N2 +3H2 2NH3
The Haber Process
The Haber Process
Conditions:
◦ 450 degree Celsius
◦ 200 atm
◦ Iron catalyst

◦ NH3 condenses at -33 degrees Celsius

Ammonia to Nitric Acid
Reactions NH3 to HNO3
Use of
Pt/Rhodium
catalyst
Uses of Ammonia and HNO3
Reactions of HNO3
◦ Nitric acid reacts with copper according to the reaction:
◦ 4 HNO3(l) + Cu(s) ==> Cu(NO3)2(s and aq) + 2 NO2(g) + 2 H2O(l)
The copper nitrate salt that forms is a deep blue color. The nitrogen dioxide is a maroon vapor.
◦ How is this different to the reaction of copper with other acids?
◦ How is this different of reaction of metals with acids?

◦ Nitric acid + Bases🡺 Metal nitrate (salt) + Water

◦ Nitric acid + Metal Carbonates 🡺 Metal nitrate (salt) + Carbon dioxide + Water