Question

List the properties of ammonia that make it
(i) A good refrigerant
(ii) A cleaning agent
(iii) As a source of hydrogen

Answer 1

(i) Liquid ammonia is used as refrigerant as:
(a) It is highly volatile
(b) It has high specific latent heat of vaporization. 1 mole (17g) of liquid ammonia vaporises by absorbing 5.7 kcals of heat from the surroundings, which is there by cooled.
(c) It easily liquefies under pressure at room temperature.
(ii) Ammonia emulsifies fats and grease. Thus it is used to clean oils, fats and body grease etc. from clothes.
(iii) Liquid hydrogen is dangerous to transport as it is highly combustible. Thus, hydrogen is converted to liquid ammonia and transported in cylinders. Later it is catalytically converted to hydrogen.
Key: Uses of ammonia