Ammonium bicarbonate is a chemical compound with the formula NH4HCO3. It is a white crystalline powder with a slightly ammoniacal odor. The compound is commonly used as a leavening agent in baked goods, such as cookies and crackers, and as a fertilizer in agriculture.
Definitions
Ammonium bicarbonate is an inorganic compound that is composed of ammonium and bicarbonate ions. It is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water and has a slightly ammoniacal odor. The compound is commonly used as a leavening agent in baked goods and as a fertilizer in agriculture.
Origin
Ammonium bicarbonate was first prepared by the French chemist Nicolas Leblanc in 1791. He obtained it by passing carbon dioxide through a solution of ammonium carbonate. Today, ammonium bicarbonate is prepared by reacting ammonia and carbon dioxide in water.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ammonium bicarbonate is “a white crystalline salt NH4HCO3 used especially as a leavening agent and in fire extinguishers.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines ammonium bicarbonate as “a white crystalline compound NH4HCO3, used as a leavening agent in baking and as a fertilizer.”
Associations
Ammonium bicarbonate is commonly associated with the food industry, where it is used as a leavening agent in baked goods. It is also used in the agriculture industry as a fertilizer.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of ammonium bicarbonate include ammonium hydrogen carbonate, baking ammonia, and hartshorn.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of ammonium bicarbonate, as it is a specific chemical compound.
The same root words
Ammonium bicarbonate contains the root words ammonium and bicarbonate. Other compounds that contain these root words include ammonium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.
Example Sentences
- The baker added ammonium bicarbonate to the cookie dough to make it rise.
- The farmer used ammonium bicarbonate as a fertilizer to improve crop yield.
- Ammonium bicarbonate is a common ingredient in fire extinguishers.