Ammonia (Spirits of Hartshorn or the volatile alkali) is an alkaline colourless gas comprised of nitrogen and hydrogen. Formulae NH3. It occurs in nature in minute quantities in the atmosphere and in natural waters, being derived from the decomposition of nitrogenous organic substances. It appears to have been known to the ancients, but was obtained by Joseph Priestley in 1774 who termed it alkaline air. Its exact composition was demonstrated by Marcellin Berthelot in 1785. Ammonia is a pungent gas. Joseph Priestley obtained ammonia from sal-ammoniac by the action of lime, by which method it was still generally prepared until the 20th century. Ammonia is used for many purposes, both in medicine and scientific chemistry; not, however, in the gaseous state, but frequently in solution in water, under the names of liquid ammonia, aqueous ammonia, or spirits of hartshorn. It is evolved when animal refuse - manure - decomposes, but it is generally prepared from the ammoniacal liquor obtained as a by-product on distilling coal. Many animal substances, such as bones, clippings and shavings of horn, hoof, etc, and certain vegetable matters yield ammonia when heated. Research Ammonia
Abbreviations
SciTech
Research Ammonia