* Photo: Place one
drop of conc. ammonia (NH3) solution on a film canister and
(at an distance of 1 cm) one drop of conc. hydrochloric acid
(HCl).
* Cover the canister by a beaker
to prevent it from air motion.
* Observations:
Each of the two liquids has a characteristic sharp smell.
* After a few minutes white crystals
have collected around the acid drop.
* Explanations:
Molecules of ammonia and of "hydrochloric acid gas" escape from the two drops.
* The ammonia molecules are
lighter. So they diffuse much quicker
than HCl molecules.
* NH3 molecules and
HCl molecules collide close to the acid drop.
* Their chemical reaction results
in white crystals of ammonium chloride: NH3Cl
(g) + HCl(g) -------> NH4Cl (s).