NH4NO3 is the chemical formula for the chemical compound known as ammonium nitrate. At room temperature with standard pressure it is a white crystalline solid. The compound is soluble in water.
Ammonium nitrate is commonly used in agriculture as a high nitrogen fertilizer and it has also been used as an oxidising agent in explosives, including certain improvised explosive devices. It is the main component of ANFO, a very popular and widely used explosive mixture. Ammonium nitrate reacts with combustible and reducing materials because it is a strong oxidant. It tends to be widely used in fertilizers and explosives. Ammonium nitrate is used in instant cold packs, as hydrating the salt is an endothermic process.
The chemical compound is commonly produced in industry. The processes involved in the industrial production of ammonium nitrate in industry are chemically simple, but they are technologically challenging. The acid-base reaction of ammonia with nitric acid gives a solution of ammonium nitrate. The chemical reaction is as follows:
HNO3(aq) + NH3(g) = NH4NO3(aq)
In industrial production, this takes place using anhydrous ammonia gas and concentrated nitric acid. This is a reaction which is violent and very exothermic.
The melting point of NH4NO3 is 169.6 degrees Celsius and it’s boiling point is approximately 210 degrees Celsius.
Ammonium nitrate is considered to have acute health effects - it is classified as ‘moderately hazardous’ if it is ingested, inhaled or it comes into contact with a person’s skin or eyes. However it is not deemed to have any chronic health effects associated with exposure to it. Simple lab equipment such as protective coat, gloves and goggles are normally sufficient enough to prevent any health problems, although users of ammonium nitrate might also wear a face mask to prevent inhaling any dust particles from the compound.
Ammonium nitrate is commonly used in agriculture as a high nitrogen fertilizer and it has also been used as an oxidising agent in explosives, including certain improvised explosive devices. It is the main component of ANFO, a very popular and widely used explosive mixture. Ammonium nitrate reacts with combustible and reducing materials because it is a strong oxidant. It tends to be widely used in fertilizers and explosives. Ammonium nitrate is used in instant cold packs, as hydrating the salt is an endothermic process.
The chemical compound is commonly produced in industry. The processes involved in the industrial production of ammonium nitrate in industry are chemically simple, but they are technologically challenging. The acid-base reaction of ammonia with nitric acid gives a solution of ammonium nitrate. The chemical reaction is as follows:
HNO3(aq) + NH3(g) = NH4NO3(aq)
In industrial production, this takes place using anhydrous ammonia gas and concentrated nitric acid. This is a reaction which is violent and very exothermic.
The melting point of NH4NO3 is 169.6 degrees Celsius and it’s boiling point is approximately 210 degrees Celsius.
Ammonium nitrate is considered to have acute health effects - it is classified as ‘moderately hazardous’ if it is ingested, inhaled or it comes into contact with a person’s skin or eyes. However it is not deemed to have any chronic health effects associated with exposure to it. Simple lab equipment such as protective coat, gloves and goggles are normally sufficient enough to prevent any health problems, although users of ammonium nitrate might also wear a face mask to prevent inhaling any dust particles from the compound.
