ammonia
pronunciation
How to pronounce ammonia in British English:
UK [əˈməʊniə]
How to pronounce ammonia in American English:
US [əˈmoʊniə]
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- Noun:
- a pungent gas compounded of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3)
- a water solution of ammonia
Word Origin
- ammonia
- ammonia: [18] Ammonia gets its name ultimately from Amon, or Amen, the Egyptian god of life and reproduction. Near the temple of Amon in Libya were found deposits of ammonium chloride, which was hence named sal ammoniac – ‘salt of Amon’. The gas nitrogen hydride is derived from sal ammoniac, and in 1782 the Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman coined the term ammonia for it.
- ammonia (n.)
- 1799, Modern Latin, coined 1782 by Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman (1735-1784) for gas obtained from sal ammoniac, salt deposits containing ammonium chloride found near temple of Jupiter Ammon (from Egyptian God Amun) in Libya, from Greek ammoniakos "belonging to Ammon." The shrine was ancient already in Augustus' day, and the salts were prepared "from the sands where the camels waited while their masters prayed for good omens" [Shipley]. There also was a gum form of sal ammoniac, from a wild plant that grew near the shrine, and across North Africa and Asia. A less likely theory traces the name to Greek Armeniakon "Armenian," because the substance also was found in Armenia. Also known as spirit of hartshorn and volatile or animal alkali.
Example
- 1. Ammonia may be a sign of renalfailure and elevated acetone levels can indicate diabetes .
- 2. Wastewater treatment plants concentrate large quantities of phosphorus and ammonia in their sludge-handling streams .
- 3. Ammonia or hot sauce based deer repellents are allowed .
- 4. However , alstom claims that its ammonia refrigeration technology can greatly reduce the energy costs related to carbon capture .
- 5. In the early 20th century , the world 's growing population couldn 't find enough ammonia to fertilise all its crops .