Why can ammonium sulfate be described as a salt?

A salt is an ionic compound which is made up of two groups of oppositely charged ions.
The overall compound of a salt compound must have an overall electrical charge of 0.
Ammonium sulfate, (NH4)2SO4, can be made by the reaction of ammonia, NH3 with sulfuric acid, H2SO4. 
Therefore, ammonium sulfate is described as a salt because the hydrogen ions, H^+, in sulfuric acid have been replaced by ammonium ions, NH4^+
And note: the charge of ammonium sulfate balance - NH4 has a +1 charge and SO4 has a 2- charge, therefore in the compund there are two lots of NH4+ [(NH4)2], to cancel out the 2- charge of the SO4 to equal 0.

Answered by Chloe R. Chemistry tutor

22425 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe an atom in terms of its sub-atomic particles and their relative mass, relative charge and its location


Form the equation for the complete burning of C3H8


Write a balanced equation for the reaction of calcium hydroxide with nitric acid.


Chlorine reacts with potassium bromide to form potassium chloride and bromine. In this reaction chlorine forms chloride ions: Cl2 + 2KBr --> 2KCl + Br2. Explain, using the equation, how you know that chlorine has been reduced.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences