Why is ammonia useful?
Ammonia is a very useful chemical and widely used around the world. Most people are familiar with ammonia as a household cleaner and in this form it is actually dissolved in water. Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant gas, although not so much in modern refrigerators.
Ammonia also plays an important role in the manufacture of nitric acid (HNO3), and this chemical is then used to make dyes, fibres, plastic and explosives.
However, its most important use has been in the production of chemicals such as ammonium nitrate that make good fertilisers. The problem has always been to find a way of getting the nitrogen in the air into a form that can be absorbed by plants. Ammonia proved to be the way to do this.
Ammonia also plays an important role in the manufacture of nitric acid (HNO3), and this chemical is then used to make dyes, fibres, plastic and explosives.
However, its most important use has been in the production of chemicals such as ammonium nitrate that make good fertilisers. The problem has always been to find a way of getting the nitrogen in the air into a form that can be absorbed by plants. Ammonia proved to be the way to do this.