Ammonium sulfate
Ammonium sulfate crystal structure
3D molecular model of ammonium sulfate
Cotton balls
Ammonium Sulfate[edit | edit source]
Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula (NH_)_SO_. It is commonly used as a fertilizer for alkaline soils. In the soil, the ammonium ion is released and forms a small amount of acid, lowering the pH balance of the soil, while contributing essential nitrogen for plant growth.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Ammonium sulfate is a white, odorless solid that is soluble in water. It has a melting point of 235 °C and decomposes before boiling. The compound is composed of two ammonium ions (NH__) and one sulfate ion (SO___). It is a typical ionic compound, and its solubility in water is 70.6 g/100 mL at 0 °C.
Production[edit | edit source]
Ammonium sulfate is produced by treating ammonia with sulfuric acid:
- 2 NH_ + H_SO_ _ (NH_)_SO_
This reaction is exothermic and is typically carried out in a reactor where ammonia gas is bubbled through a solution of sulfuric acid. The resulting ammonium sulfate precipitates out of the solution and is collected by filtration.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Fertilizer[edit | edit source]
The primary use of ammonium sulfate is as a fertilizer for alkaline soils. It provides two essential nutrients: nitrogen and sulfur. The nitrogen is in the form of ammonium ions, which are readily absorbed by plants. The sulfur is in the form of sulfate ions, which are also essential for plant growth.
Food Additive[edit | edit source]
Ammonium sulfate is used as a food additive, particularly in the baking industry. It acts as a dough conditioner and is recognized as safe by food safety authorities.
Laboratory Use[edit | edit source]
In the laboratory, ammonium sulfate is used for the precipitation of proteins. This process, known as "salting out," exploits the reduced solubility of proteins in high salt concentrations.
Safety[edit | edit source]
Ammonium sulfate is generally regarded as safe when handled properly. However, it can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Proper protective equipment should be used when handling the compound.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
| Agriculture |
|---|
 |
 Agriculture portal |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
