Final answer:
Ammonia (NH3) is a typical component of household cleaners due to its basic properties and ability to react with water to form ammonium (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). It's used in diluted form for its cleaning efficacy while concentrated ammonia is caustic and hazardous. Beyond cleaning, it's used in agriculture and pharmaceutical production.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ammonia (NH3) is indeed a common ingredient in household cleaners owing to its properties as a weak base. The compound consists of one nitrogen (N) atom and three hydrogen (H) atoms. In aqueous solution, ammonia reacts with water (H2O) to form ammonium ion (NH4+) and hydroxide ion (OH-), increasing the hydroxide ion concentration in the solution and hence exhibiting basic behavior.
This chemical reaction is depicted by the equation: NH3(aq) + H2O(l) → NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq). As a base in cleaning products, ammonia effectively cuts through grease and grime, which makes it suitable for a variety of cleaning tasks. Moreover, ammonia is produced industrially through the combination of nitrogen and hydrogen gases, as per the Haber process.
Despite its wide use, concentrated ammonia can be caustic and hazardous, requiring careful handling. It has also applications beyond cleaning, such as in agricultural fertilizers and the synthesis of pharmaceutical products.