Methane, CH₄, and ammonia, NH₃, both contain hydrogen…
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Methane, , and ammonia, , both contain hydrogen. Neither is an acid, and a solution of ammonia is even basic. Explain why. How could you show with a simple test that ammonia solution is basic?
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Acids give ions (as ) in water; alkalis give ions. Without water there are no ions. Strong acids split fully, weak acids only a little. Always add acid to water, slowly, never water to acid.
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Acids. An acid must give ions in water. Methane gives none, and ammonia gives none either.
Step 2. Ammonia. In water, ammonia takes hydrogen from water and leaves ions: . So its solution is basic.
Step 3. Test. Ammonia solution turns red litmus blue, or phenolphthalein pink.
Answer: containing hydrogen is not enough; the hydrogen must leave as an ion.
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