How to get ammonia in the laboratory and prove its presence?

To obtain ammonia, take equal volumes of crystalline ammonium chloride

NH4Cl and slaked lime Ca (OH) 2. Let’s mix. Place it on the flask. Heat gently.

Ca (OH) 2 + 2NH4Cl = CaCl2 + 2 NH3 + 2 H2O.

The presence of ammonia can be determined:

a) by smell;

b) you can hold a wet litmus paper over the flask – it will turn blue, since ammonia forms ammonia with water, and it has a weak alkaline medium. Litmus in alkalis turns blue.

NH3 + H2O = NH3OH.

c) You can add a glass rod moistened with hydrochloric acid into the flask – white smoke will appear – ammonium chloride.

NH3 + HCl = NH4Cl.