Chemical Symbol: NH3
Synonyms: Anhydrous Ammonia


Description
Ammonia is the formed by a chemical combination of gaseous nitrogen and hydrogen, with one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure, ammonia is a pungent, colorless gas. It may be compressed and cooled to a colorless liquid. Liquid ammonia is lighter than water, and in gaseous form it is lighter than air. Ammonia burns at atmospheric pressure, but only when an air-ammonia mixture contains between 16 and 25 percent ammonia.


Uses
Ammonia is most commonly used in agriculture as a source of nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth. It is widely used in the fertilizer industry to produce materials such as ammonium salts, nitrate salts and urea. Ammonia is also used as a source of protein in livestock feeds for ruminating animals. Furthermore, ammonia is used in the production of nitric acid, which is used in making explosives. Ammonia can also be used as a refrigerant, the making of ammonium salts, alkalies, dyes, pharmaceuticals, synthetic textile fibers, plastics, treatment of acidic wastes and several other minor areas of use.