Question
What happens when ammonium sulphate is heated with caustic soda?
Answer
When ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 is heated with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH), a chemical reaction occurs, leading to the formation of ammonia gas (NH3), water (H2O), and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The reaction can be represented as follows:
(NH4)2SO4 + 2NaOH → 2 NH3 + 2 H2O + Na2SO4