Question

Vapors of Ammonia (NH3) and Hydrochloric acid (HCl) react to form a white cloud of NH4Cl vapor. If these two gases are released into a tube from opposite ends will the white cloud of NH4Cl form closer to the end of the tube from which NH3 was released or closer to the end of the tube from which HCl was released? Explain your answer

Answer 1

NH₄Cl form closer to the end of the tube from which HCl was released.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ammonia and hydrogen chloride gas react to form ammonium chloride water which can be seen by the formation of intensified fumes.

HCl + NH₃ ⇒ NH₄Cl

Since, the ammonia gas has a lower molecular weight as compared to that of hydrogen chloride gas. According to Graham's law of diffusion, the diffusion rate is inversely proportional to the square root of the molecular mass of the gas. Thus, ammonia will diffuse faster as compared to hydrogen chloride gas. So, the white fumes will form at the side of the hydrogen chloride gas as it's diffusion will be slower and ammonia will diffuse fast and reaches to the gas.