Why does ammonia turn red litmus paper blue in water but not in methylbenzene?

Step 1: Answer to Question 1 Ammonia (NH₃) is a base. For it to exhibit basic properties and affect litmus paper, it must ionize to produce hydroxide ions (OH^−). In water, ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium ions and hydroxide ions: NH₃(aq) + H₂O(l) NH₄^+(aq) + OH^−(aq) The presence of OH^− ions makes the solution alkaline, turning red litmus paper blue. Methylbenzene is a non-polar organic solvent. Ammonia does not ionize in methylbenzene, meaning it does not react to form OH^− ions. Without OH^− ions, the solution is not alkaline and therefore has no

Why does ammonia turn red litmus paper blue in water but not in methylbenzene?

Step 1: Answer to Question 1 Ammonia (NH₃) is a base. For it to exhibit basic properties and affect litmus paper, it must ionize to produce hydroxide ions (OH^−). In water, ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium ions and hydroxide ions: NH₃(aq) + H₂O(l) NH₄^+(aq) + OH^−(aq) The presence of OH^− ions makes the solution alkaline, turning red litmus paper blue. Methylbenzene is a non-polar organic solvent. Ammonia does not ionize in methylbenzene, meaning it does not react to form OH^− ions. Without OH^− ions, the solution is not alkaline and therefore has no

Solved: Why does ammonia turn red litmus paper blue in…

Step 1: Answer to Question 1
Ammonia ( $NH_3$ ) is a base. For it to exhibit basic properties and affect litmus paper, it must ionize to produce hydroxide ions ( $OH^-$ ).
In water, ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium ions and hydroxide ions:

NH_3(aq) + H_2O(l) \rightleftharpoons NH_4^+(aq) + OH^-(aq)

The presence of $OH^-$ ions makes the solution alkaline, turning red litmus paper blue.
Methylbenzene is a non-polar organic solvent. Ammonia does not ionize in methylbenzene, meaning it does not react to form $OH^-$ ions. Without $OH^-$ ions, the solution is not alkaline and therefore has no

Why does ammonia turn red litmus paper blue in water but not in methylbenzene?

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