Preparing ammonium sulfate in the lab and in industry

Overview

Preparing ammonium sulfate in the laboratory from ammonia solution and dilute sulfuric acid by titration and crystallisation, its equation, and how and why the continuous, several-stage industrial process differs from the laboratory method.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Name the two substances used to prepare ammonium sulfate in the laboratory.

   Model answer

   Ammonia solution and dilute sulfuric acid.

2. 2

   Give the balanced equation for the laboratory preparation of ammonium sulfate.

   Model answer

   2NH₃ + H₂SO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄.

3. 3

   Describe how the exact volume of acid needed is found when ammonium sulfate is prepared in the laboratory.

   Model answer

   A titration with an indicator finds the volume of acid that just neutralises a measured volume of the ammonia solution.

4. 4

   Why is the laboratory preparation of ammonium sulfate then repeated with the same volumes but no indicator?

   Model answer

   The indicator would colour and contaminate the crystals, so it is left out once the correct volume is known.

5. 5

   Describe how pure ammonium sulfate crystals are obtained from the neutral solution.

   Model answer

   The solution is heated to evaporate some water and left to cool so crystals form, and the crystals are then filtered off and dried.

6. 6

   Give two ways in which the industrial production of ammonium sulfate differs from the laboratory preparation.

   Model answer

   Industry works on a far larger scale and runs continuously, rather than making one small batch at a time by hand.

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