Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: The Scientist on 29/01/2011 13:28:23

Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: The Scientist on 29/01/2011 13:28:23
Please elaborate upon explanation. Thanks!
Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: Bored chemist on 29/01/2011 13:37:33
It isn't.
Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: lightarrow on 29/01/2011 14:22:09
The most water soluble gas is gaseous water  [:)]
Among chemicals which are gaseous at standard T and P, HF, HCl, HBr and HI are more water soluble than NH3, for example.
Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: Bored chemist on 29/01/2011 17:15:07
I'd have to check, but I think SO3 might beat all of those in terms of how much you can dissolve in a given mass of water. Of course it doesn't boil until you warm it up a bit, but the vapour is seriously soluble.
Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: The Scientist on 31/01/2011 13:34:23
Quote from: Bored chemist on 29/01/2011 13:37:33
It isn't.

Could you kindly explain what do you think that ammonia is not the most soluble gas in the world? Thanks.
Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: rosy on 31/01/2011 15:36:30
TS, why don't you start the ball rolling by explaining why you think ammonia is the most soluble gas?

Are you calculating it in terms of amount (molar, or by mass) of ammonia soluble in a particular mass of water? Or in some other solvent? At what temperature?

Show your working, so that people know what terms you're working on and can give you a sensible answer without everyone talking at cross purposes. As the person posing the question, and implicitly making an assertion which isn't obviously well founded (that ammonia is "the most soluble gas") you need to be clearer.
Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: Bored chemist on 31/01/2011 19:38:31
Quote from: The Scientist on 31/01/2011 13:34:23
Quote from: Bored chemist on 29/01/2011 13:37:33
It isn't.

Could you kindly explain what do you think that ammonia is not the most soluble gas in the world? Thanks.

Did you read lightarrow's post?
The reason I don't think ammonia is the most soluble gas is that there are other gases more soluble than ammonia.
It's like saying a dog is the biggest animal and, when someone points out that cows and horses are bigger than dogs, asking why they think the dog isn't the biggest.
Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: The Scientist on 01/02/2011 12:46:45
Quote from: rosy on 31/01/2011 15:36:30
TS, why don't you start the ball rolling by explaining why you think ammonia is the most soluble gas?

Are you calculating it in terms of amount (molar, or by mass) of ammonia soluble in a particular mass of water? Or in some other solvent? At what temperature?

Show your working, so that people know what terms you're working on and can give you a sensible answer without everyone talking at cross purposes. As the person posing the question, and implicitly making an assertion which isn't obviously well founded (that ammonia is "the most soluble gas") you need to be clearer.

Thats what I heard from a teacher.
Title: What makes Ammonia the most soluble gas in the world?
Post by: CliffordK on 01/02/2011 13:55:10
Anything that is "Miscible" will dissolve more or less equally in water, be it of gaseous form, or liquid form.

So, any of your light alcohols could be added to the list.
Also, Formic Acid.
And Hydrogen-Cyanide.
Cyanogen fluoride may also be miscible in water, although the other cyanogen-halides are only listed as soluble in water.