Ammonium nitrate + water = enthalpy?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 13, 2015

I am not absolutely sure what it is you are asking. It is a fact that the dissolution of #NH_4NO_3# in water is highly endothermic.

Explanation:

Dissolution of an ionic solid in a solvent manifestly breaks bonds. It is reasonable to suppose that such a process requires energy. Hence the use of ammonium nitrate in cold packs, when you break a blister and the ammonium nitrate dissolves.

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