| Description |
Odorless, colorless gas comprising 78% of the
atmosphere. Generally unreactive at room
temperature. Extensive inorganic and organic chemistry. Used in
fertilizers, acids, explosives, plastics, dyes, etc. Recovered on an
industrial scale by the liquefaction of air. Diagnostic tests:
As nitrates (NO4-), these detonate and pop when heated on charcoal.
As ammonium (NH4+), a solution of NaOH evolves ammonia gas when heated
which is detected by its sharp odor.
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