Ammonium Chloride: Full Guide (IGCSE Chemistry, Grade 10–11)
Based on the classic question about ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), reversible decomposition, and
the NH₃ + HCl diffusion tube experiment. Use this as cram notes, model answers, mark
schemes, flashcards, and practice questions (2–12 marks).
7
One-Line Cram Blurt
Ammonium ion is NH₄⁺; prove NH₄⁺ with warm NaOH → NH₃ that turns damp red litmus blue /
makes white smoke with HCl; NH₄Cl(s) ⇌ NH₃(g) + HCl(g) is reversible; in a tube NH₄Cl ring
forms nearer HCl because NH₃ diffuses faster (travels further in the same time).
Core Ideas (Bullet Points)
⦁ Formula: Ammonium ion = NH₄⁺ (tetrahedral cation).
⦁ Test for ammonium salts: Add aqueous sodium hydroxide and warm → ammonia gas
(NH₃) released.
⦁ Confirm ammonia: turns damp red litmus paper blue (or damp universal indicator
blue–purple); reacts with concentrated HCl(g) to form white smoke of NH₄Cl(s).
⦁ Thermal decomposition of NH₄Cl: NH₄Cl(s) ⇌ NH₃(g) + HCl(g) — double arrow shows a
reversible reaction (both forward and backward occur).
⦁ Diffusion experiment: Place cotton wool with aqueous NH₃ at one end and with
concentrated HCl at the other; a white ring of NH₄Cl(s) forms closer to the HCl end.
⦁ Explanation of ring position: NH₃ molecules have higher mean speed (diffuse faster) than
HCl molecules under the same conditions, so NH₃ travels further in the same time before
meeting HCl.
⦁ Evidence-based phrasing: State where the ring forms and compare distances to
conclude relative speeds; avoid invoking particle size/mass if the question signals ‘use the
diagram’ evidence.
Model Answers (By Sub-question)
(a) Give the formula of the ammonium ion. [1]
Model Answer (1 mark): NH₄⁺.
Accept: NH4+ (charge shown). Do not award if charge omitted or incorrect.
(b) Describe a test to show that ammonium chloride contains ammonium ions. [3]
Full-mark Model Answer (3 marks):
Add aqueous sodium hydroxide and warm gently; ammonia gas is evolved, which turns damp
red litmus paper blue (or damp universal indicator blue/purple) and the gas forms a white smoke
with concentrated hydrochloric acid (NH₄Cl).
Mark scheme breakdown:
1. M1: Add sodium hydroxide solution and warm.
2. M2: Test the gas with damp red litmus (or damp universal indicator).
3. M3: Paper turns blue / indicator turns blue–purple (confirming NH₃).
4. Alternative for M2–M3: Expose gas to concentrated HCl → white smoke (ammonium
chloride).
5. Note: If NaOH/warming not mentioned, maximum 1 mark for gas test alone.
(c) NH₄Cl(s) ⇌ NH₃(g) + HCl(g): State what the ⇌ symbol indicates about this reaction. [1]
Model Answer (1 mark): The reaction is reversible (goes in both forward and backward
directions).
Allow: ‘Both reactions occur’ / ‘equilibrium can be established’. Ignore: Overly detailed
equilibrium definitions if not asked.
(d) The diffusion tube experiment for forming ammonium chloride.
Set-up: Cotton wool soaked in concentrated HCl at one end and in aqueous ammonia at the
other end of a long glass tube. A white ring of NH₄Cl(s) forms inside the tube.
(d)(i) Explain how the mean speed of ammonia molecules compares with the mean speed of
hydrogen chloride molecules. [2]
Model Answer (2 marks): Ammonia molecules move/diffuse faster than hydrogen chloride
molecules because the white NH₄Cl ring forms nearer the HCl end (so NH₃ has travelled further
in the same time).
Mark scheme notes: Award for (i) stating NH₃ is faster AND giving the evidence from the ring
position. Ignore references to particle masses/sizes unless specifically asked.
(d)(ii) Predict and explain the position of the white ring of ammonium chloride. [2]
Model Answer (2 marks): The white ring forms closer to the HCl end because NH₃ diffuses
faster than HCl, so NH₃ travels a greater distance before meeting HCl to form NH₄Cl(s).
Accept: ‘Nearer the HCl source’ / ‘away from the NH₃ source’. Rationale must compare diffusion
speeds.
Practice Questions (Exam-style)
2-mark questions
1. State the formula of the ammonium ion and name a reagent used to release ammonia
from ammonium salts.
2. State one observation when ammonia gas is tested with damp red litmus paper.
4-mark questions
1. Describe how you would test a solid sample to confirm the presence of NH₄⁺ ions.
Include reagents, conditions, and two confirmatory observations.
2. In the diffusion experiment with NH₃ and HCl, explain why the white ring of NH₄Cl forms
off-centre. Use evidence from the set-up.
6-mark questions
1. A sealed tube contains NH₄Cl(s) at equilibrium with its gaseous products. (i) State what
is meant by a reversible reaction. (ii) Describe and explain the effect of decreasing the
temperature on the position of equilibrium if the forward reaction is endothermic. (iii) Explain
how the diffusion experiment provides evidence for differences in molecular speeds.
12-mark long-response prompts
1. Design a complete qualitative analysis plan to distinguish between solid samples of
sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, and calcium carbonate. Include tests, expected
observations, balanced equations where appropriate, and a clear decision table. Discuss safety
and sources of error.
Model Answers for Practice Questions
Sample 2-mark model answers
Q: State the formula of the ammonium ion and name a reagent used to release ammonia from
ammonium salts.
A: NH₄⁺; aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
Q: State one observation when ammonia gas is tested with damp red litmus paper.
A: Damp red litmus turns blue.
Sample 4-mark model answer
Describe how you would test a solid sample to confirm the presence of NH₄⁺ ions. Include
reagents, conditions, and two confirmatory observations.
1. Add a few cm³ of aqueous sodium hydroxide to the solid (or its solution) and warm gently
in a test tube.
2. Hold damp red litmus at the mouth of the tube; it turns blue, indicating ammonia.
3. Alternatively/Additionally, expose the gas to concentrated hydrochloric acid; white smoke
(NH₄Cl) forms.
4. Conclusion: The solid contains ammonium ions.
Sample 6-mark model answer (structured)
(i) A reversible reaction is one that can proceed in both forward and backward directions under
the same conditions.
(ii) If the forward decomposition NH₄Cl(s) → NH₃(g) + HCl(g) is endothermic, decreasing
temperature shifts equilibrium to the exothermic direction (towards NH₄Cl(s)), reducing the
amounts of NH₃ and HCl gases. Justification: Le Châtelier’s principle.
(iii) In the diffusion tube, a white ring of NH₄Cl forms closer to the HCl end. Therefore NH₃ must
have travelled further in the same time; hence NH₃ molecules have a higher mean speed than
HCl molecules under the same conditions.
Flashcards (Prompt–Answer)
Q: Formula of ammonium ion?
A: NH₄⁺
Q: Reagent + condition to release NH₃ from ammonium salts?
A: Aqueous NaOH, warm gently.
Q: Two tests that confirm NH₃ gas?
A: Turns damp red litmus blue / damp UI blue–purple; gives white smoke with concentrated HCl
(NH₄Cl).
Q: Meaning of ⇌ ?
A: Reaction is reversible; both forward and backward reactions occur; equilibrium possible.
Q: Where does the NH₄Cl ring form in NH₃–HCl tube?
A: Closer to HCl end.
Q: What does ring position show about speeds?
A: NH₃ diffuses/moves faster; travels further in the same time.
Mark Scheme Breakdown (Checklist)
⦁ Part (a) [1]: NH₄⁺ exactly (charge shown).
⦁ Part (b) [3]: (1) add NaOH(aq) and warm; (2) test gas with damp red litmus/universal
indicator; (3) paper turns blue/indicator blue–purple OR expose to HCl(g) → white smoke. Max 1
if NaOH not added.
⦁ Part (c) [1]: State ‘reversible reaction’ (both directions).
⦁ Part (d)(i) [2]: NH₃ faster + evidence from ring position (formed nearer HCl / NH₃ travels
further).
⦁ Part (d)(ii) [2]: Ring nearer HCl + reason (NH₃ diffuses faster).
In-Depth Explanations
1) Why warming with NaOH releases NH₃: The strong base shifts the equilibrium of ammonium
salts to produce ammonia and water (NH₄⁺ + OH⁻ → NH₃ + H₂O). Ammonia is volatile and
escapes as a gas, enabling identification tests.
2) Why indicators must be damp: Water allows dissolution of gaseous ammonia to form
ammonium hydroxide at the paper surface, producing the alkaline pH that turns red litmus blue.
3) Reversibility of NH₄Cl decomposition: On heating, solid NH₄Cl dissociates to NH₃(g) and
HCl(g); on cooling, the gases recombine to deposit NH₄Cl(s). The double arrow denotes that
both processes can occur under the conditions.
4) Diffusion argument from evidence: Since the NH₄Cl ring forms closer to HCl, the NH₃
molecules must have covered a longer distance before reacting; therefore their mean speed is
greater under identical temperature and pressure.
Balanced Equations to Learn
NH₄Cl(s) ⇌ NH₃(g) + HCl(g)
NH₄⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq) → NH₃(g) + H₂O(l)
NH₃(g) + HCl(g) → NH₄Cl(s)
Video Links (Topic Review)
Testing for ammonium ions (qualitative analysis):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2k4eQ01ynM
Reversible reactions and equilibrium (intro): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q6kT3uKcdw
Diffusion of gases: ammonia and hydrogen chloride demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPZr0p6w9hI
Decision Table (Identify the Cation)
Suspected ammonium salt → add NaOH(aq) and warm → gas evolved? yes → damp red litmus
turns blue / white smoke with HCl → NH₄⁺ confirmed.
Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry: Q2 & Q3 Complete Guide
Comprehensive notes, model answers, mark scheme breakdown, flashcards, one-line cram
blurts, extended practice questions and explanations for Question 2 and Question 3.
Question 2: Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
One-Line Cram Blurt
Lilac flame → Potassium. Separation of colours → Paper chromatography. Compound =
Sodium chloride. Mixture = Air. Solid non-metal element = Sulfur.
Core Ideas
⦁ Flame test: Potassium ions produce a lilac flame.
⦁ Paper chromatography separates components of coloured mixtures based on solubility
and travel through paper.
⦁ Compound: Pure substance of two or more elements chemically bonded (e.g. NaCl).
⦁ Mixture: Contains two or more substances (elements or compounds) not chemically
bonded (e.g. air).
⦁ Element: Substance made of one type of atom (e.g. sulfur).
Model Answers
(a) Potassium (K)
(b) Paper chromatography
(c)(i) Sodium chloride
(c)(ii) Air
(c)(iii) Sulfur
Mark Scheme Breakdown
⦁ Potassium - 1 mark
⦁ Paper chromatography - 1 mark
⦁ Sodium chloride - 1 mark
⦁ Air - 1 mark
⦁ Sulfur - 1 mark
Flashcards
Q: Element producing lilac flame?
A: Potassium (K)
Q: Technique to separate colours in ink?
A: Paper chromatography
Q: Name a compound from the box?
A: Sodium chloride (NaCl)
Q: Name a mixture from the box?
A: Air
Q: Non-metal solid at room temperature?
A: Sulfur (S)
Question 3: Group 1 Metals and Reactions
One-Line Cram Blurt
Lithium + water → moves, dissolves, colourless solution. Hydrogen test: lit splint → squeaky
pop. Potassium reacts faster: fizzing, flames, melts, more vigorous.
Core Ideas
⦁ Group 1 metals react with water to form alkaline solutions and hydrogen gas.
⦁ Lithium reaction: floats, moves, dissolves, solution turns colourless, bubbles of
hydrogen.
⦁ Hydrogen test: burning splint gives squeaky pop.
⦁ Potassium reaction: more vigorous - rapid fizzing, melts, burns with flame, moves more
quickly.
⦁ Reason: Potassium has more electron shells; outer electron further from nucleus;
weaker attraction; easier to lose electron.
Model Answers
(a)(i) Any two: lithium moves on surface, gets smaller, colourless solution forms
(a)(ii) Hydrogen test: Lit splint produces a squeaky pop
(b)(i) Any one: more fizzing, melts, moves faster, burns/flame produced
(b)(ii) Explanation: Potassium has more shells → outer electron farther → weaker attraction →
more reactive
Extended Practice Questions
1. Explain, using electronic structure, why potassium reacts more vigorously than lithium
with water (4 marks).
2. Describe how hydrogen gas can be tested and what observation confirms its presence
(3 marks).
3. Compare the flame colours of lithium, sodium, and potassium in a flame test experiment
(4 marks).
Flashcards
Q: Two observations when lithium reacts with water?
A: Moves on surface, gets smaller, colourless solution forms
Q: Test for hydrogen gas?
A: Lit splint produces a squeaky pop
Q: Observation unique to potassium reaction?
A: Burns with flame / more vigorous reaction / melts
Q: Why is potassium more reactive than lithium?
A: Outer electron is further from nucleus → weaker attraction → lost more easily
