Test for Ammonium Ions

Test for Ammonium Ions

Ammonium ions do not give a colour in a flame test. The usual test is to add sodium hydroxide to the solid and warm. This releases ammonia gas which can be recognised by its smell or by turning damp red litmus paper blue.NH₄⁺ + OH^- → NH₃ + H₂OAlternatively hydrogen chloride reacts with ammonia to form white fumes of ammonium chloride.NH₃ + HCl → NH₄Cl