No, calcium nitrate does not react with ammonium hydroxide.
According to chemical principles and confirmed by the provided reference, when calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂) is mixed with ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH), no observable chemical reaction occurs. This means there is no formation of a precipitate, no gas evolution, no significant color change, or any other indicator of a new chemical compound being formed.
Understanding the Non-Reaction
The core of the answer lies in the specific properties of these two compounds. Calcium nitrate is a soluble ionic salt, and ammonium hydroxide is a weak base. For a reaction to typically occur between a salt and a base in solution, one of the following usually happens:
- Precipitate Formation: An insoluble compound is formed from the combination of ions.
- Gas Evolution: A gaseous product is formed.
- Acid-Base Neutralization: If one is an acid and the other a base, they react to form salt and water (though ammonium hydroxide is a base, calcium nitrate is a salt, not an acid).
In the case of calcium nitrate and ammonium hydroxide, the potential products from a double displacement reaction would be calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃).
- Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is highly soluble in water.
- Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) is sparingly soluble, meaning only a very small amount dissolves. While it can form a precipitate under certain conditions (e.g., with a strong base like NaOH which provides a high concentration of hydroxide ions), the concentration of hydroxide ions produced by the weak base ammonium hydroxide is generally too low to exceed the solubility product (Ksp) of calcium hydroxide significantly, especially to cause a noticeable precipitate. Therefore, the reference specifically confirms that no reaction is observed.
Key Characteristics of the Compounds
To further clarify, let's look at the individual properties:
| Feature | Calcium Nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂) | Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH or NH₃(aq)) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Compound | Ionic Salt | Weak Base (aqueous solution of ammonia) |
| Solubility | Highly Soluble in Water | Soluble in Water (forms an alkaline solution) |
| Common Uses | Fertilizer, Wastewater Treatment, Refrigerant | Household Cleaner, Laboratory Reagent |
Why This Matters
Understanding when chemicals do not react is as crucial as knowing when they do. In many chemical processes, preventing undesirable reactions is key to maintaining purity, stability, or ensuring safety. For instance:
- Solution Preparation: Knowing that these two substances do not react allows for their presence together in a solution without concern for precipitate formation or unwanted byproducts.
- Analytical Chemistry: In qualitative analysis, the absence of a reaction can be used to rule out certain ions or substances.
- Industrial Applications: In processes involving these chemicals, the non-reactivity simplifies handling and storage protocols.
In summary, despite the presence of calcium and hydroxide ions, the inherent properties, particularly the weak basicity of ammonium hydroxide and the relatively higher solubility of calcium hydroxide under these conditions, prevent a significant, observable chemical reaction from taking place.
