Why can ammonium sulfate be described as a salt?

A salt is an ionic compound which is made up of two groups of oppositely charged ions.
The overall compound of a salt compound must have an overall electrical charge of 0.
Ammonium sulfate, (NH4)2SO4, can be made by the reaction of ammonia, NH3 with sulfuric acid, H2SO4. 
Therefore, ammonium sulfate is described as a salt because the hydrogen ions, H^+, in sulfuric acid have been replaced by ammonium ions, NH4^+
And note: the charge of ammonium sulfate balance - NH4 has a +1 charge and SO4 has a 2- charge, therefore in the compund there are two lots of NH4+ [(NH4)2], to cancel out the 2- charge of the SO4 to equal 0.

CR
Answered by Chloe R. Chemistry tutor

26656 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do you know which chemicals are formed at the electrodes in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions?


Calculate the percentage composition by mass of Lithium Sulfate, Li2SO4.


How do you increase the rate of a reaction?


Give the essential conditions of the manufacture of sulfuric acid by the contact process.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning