What is Ammonium nitrate?
[[File:Ammonium nitrate CN.JPG|thumb|Ammonium nitrate]] '''Ammonium nitrate''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub>. It contains [[ammonium]] and [[nitrate]] [[ion]]s. The nitrogen is in the -3 and +5 [[oxidation state]]s. ==Properties== Ammonium nitrate is a colorless solid. It dissolves in water. It makes water cold when it dissolves. It is an [[oxidizing agent]]. When it is heated gently, it turns into water and [[nitrous oxide]]. It can [[detonation|detonate]] when heated strongly. There were several disasters where ammonium nitrate exploded. Ammonium nitrate fertilizers were banned in some places because they were used to make explosives. ==Preparation== Ammonium nitrate is made by reacting [[ammonia]] with [[nitric acid]]. This reaction is very violent. It can be made by reacting [[sodium nitrate]] with [[ammonium sulfate]]. This makes a solution of ammonium nitrate and [[sodium sulfate]]. When the mixture is cooled, the [[sodium sulfate]] is crystallized and can be filtered. ==Uses== Ammonium nitrate is used as a [[fertilizer]]. It contains more nitrogen than most fertilizers. It is also used in [[explosive]]s. It can be used as an oxidizer in rockets. ==Related pages== *[[Ammonium chlorate]] *[[Ammonium perchlorate]] {{authority control}}{{Chem-stub}} [[Category:Nitrogen compounds]]