When (nh4)2so4 is dissolved in water, nh4+ and (so4)2- are produced. This pair of ions is the result of (nh4)2so4 reacting with the water itself, which bears the chemical formula h2o. They are known as the products of the reaction, whereas (nh4)2so4 and h2o are the reactants. The reaction could not take place if (nh4)2so4 was not soluble in water, but as it is, ions are produced. Ions are often produced when simple molecules are dissolved in water; many forget that water itself is the chemical h2o.
Unlike (nh4)2so4 and h2o, the products of the reaction are not neutral. They are known as ions, as each of them has a different number of electrons than protons. Nh4+ is positively charged, as it has one more proton than electron. (so4)2- is negatively charged, as it has two more electrons than protons. Ions are commonly produced in chemical reactions and result in the production of ionic compounds.
Another interesting point about this reaction is the fact that if we look carefully, we can see (nh4)2so4 and h20 altogether have a different combination of atoms than the nh4+ and (so4)2- ions. This means varying quantities of the ions are produced throughout the reaction. The end result will be the existence of a larger number of smaller ions than there were molecules to start with. The reaction detailed is not a simple one, and will take place only under certain temperature and pressure conditions.
(Nh4)2so4 itself is a complex compounds, that can be produced by replacing two of the hydrogen atoms in h2so4 with two Nh4 molecules. One way in which to do this is by reacting h2so4 with Nh4 molecules in water. This reaction will require heat to take place.
Unlike (nh4)2so4 and h2o, the products of the reaction are not neutral. They are known as ions, as each of them has a different number of electrons than protons. Nh4+ is positively charged, as it has one more proton than electron. (so4)2- is negatively charged, as it has two more electrons than protons. Ions are commonly produced in chemical reactions and result in the production of ionic compounds.
Another interesting point about this reaction is the fact that if we look carefully, we can see (nh4)2so4 and h20 altogether have a different combination of atoms than the nh4+ and (so4)2- ions. This means varying quantities of the ions are produced throughout the reaction. The end result will be the existence of a larger number of smaller ions than there were molecules to start with. The reaction detailed is not a simple one, and will take place only under certain temperature and pressure conditions.
(Nh4)2so4 itself is a complex compounds, that can be produced by replacing two of the hydrogen atoms in h2so4 with two Nh4 molecules. One way in which to do this is by reacting h2so4 with Nh4 molecules in water. This reaction will require heat to take place.
