How would you prepare a liter of 10% Ammonia Solution from a Strong Ammonia Solution

How would you prepare a liter of 10% Ammonia Solution from a Strong Ammonia Solution

The correct answer and explanation is:

To prepare 1 liter (1000 mL) of a 10% ammonia solution from a concentrated (strong) ammonia solution, you need to perform a dilution using the formula:

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

Where:

• C₁ = concentration of the strong ammonia solution (e.g., 28%)
• V₁ = volume of strong ammonia needed (what we want to find)
• C₂ = desired concentration (10%)
• V₂ = final volume (1000 mL)

Step-by-Step Solution:

Assume your strong ammonia solution is 28% w/v (a common concentration for commercial ammonia).

Use the dilution formula:

(28%) × V₁ = (10%) × 1000 mL

Solve for V₁:

V₁ = (10 × 1000) ÷ 28
V₁ ≈ 357.14 mL

This means you need 357.14 mL of the 28% ammonia solution, and you dilute it with enough distilled water to make the total volume 1000 mL.

Final Procedure:

1. Wear safety gear (gloves, goggles, lab coat) – ammonia fumes are irritating.
2. Measure 357.14 mL of 28% strong ammonia solution using a graduated cylinder in a fume hood.
3. Pour it into a 1-liter volumetric flask (or other appropriate container).
4. Add distilled water gradually, mixing gently.
5. Fill to the 1000 mL mark with distilled water.
6. Mix thoroughly by inverting the flask or stirring.

Explanation (300 Words):

Preparing a specific concentration of a solution from a more concentrated stock requires dilution, a fundamental concept in chemistry. The dilution equation C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ ensures that the amount of solute remains constant before and after dilution, while only the solvent volume changes.

In this case, we want to make 1 liter of a 10% ammonia solution. Assuming the strong ammonia is 28% by weight (a common lab stock), we calculate that 357.14 mL of this concentrated solution contains enough ammonia to give us a 10% solution once diluted to 1 liter.

It’s essential to add ammonia to water, not the other way around, to reduce the risk of splashing or generating too much vapor. Since ammonia is volatile and has a strong, pungent odor, all work should be done in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood.

This process is a practical example of solution preparation, commonly used in laboratory and industrial settings. Understanding it helps ensure accurate concentrations in chemical reactions, biological experiments, or cleaning formulations.