Why dont they react?

Because ammonium nitrate and calcium hydroxide are also very soluble salts.

Calcium hydroxide isn't very soluble; they should react.

 

(Technically NH4OH doesn't exist)

(Technically NH4OH doesn't exist)

Its a solution of ammonia in water.

 

I guess calcium hydroxide reacts with ammonium nitrate to give ammonia?

"Its a solution of ammonia in water."

No, it's not.

On warming a solution of ammonium nitrate with calcium hydroxide I would expect to get ammonia, but with reasonable concentrations of ammonia solution and calcium nitrate I would expect a precipitate of calcium hydroxide.

It's certainly an equilibrium reactions so it could go either way depending on the conditions.

"Its a solution of ammonia in water."

No, it's not.

On warming a solution of ammonium nitrate with calcium hydroxide I would expect to get ammonia, but with reasonable concentrations of ammonia solution and calcium nitrate I would expect a precipitate of calcium hydroxide.

It's certainly an equilibrium reactions so it could go either way depending on the conditions.

 

Hi John,

 

So, are you saying that Calcium hydroxide is partly soluble?

 

If not, then it cannot be a equilibrium reaction i.e go wither way...this is my understanding.

Edited June 22, 201015 yr by Nerddoc

It is slightly soluble, a couple of grams per litre IIRC.

It is slightly soluble, a couple of grams per litre IIRC.

 

Got it. Thanks!

The concentration of OH- ions from the ionisation of NH4OH is so low that it can not precipitate the hydroxide of calcium