Ammonium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula (NH4)2CO3. It is a white crystalline powder with a strong odor of ammonia and is commonly used in the food industry as a leavening agent. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of ammonium carbonate.
Definitions
Ammonium carbonate is a salt of ammonium and carbonic acid. It is composed of two ammonium ions and one carbonate ion. It is also known as baker’s ammonia, carbonate of ammonia, or salt of hartshorn.
Origin
Ammonium carbonate was first prepared in the 15th century by mixing deer antlers with urine and then heating the mixture. The resulting product was called “salt of hartshorn” and was used in medicine and as a smelling salt. Today, ammonium carbonate is commercially produced by reacting ammonia with carbon dioxide.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ammonium carbonate is “a white crystalline salt (NH4)2CO3 used especially in baking powders and in smelling salts and formerly in the manufacture of ammonium compounds.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines ammonium carbonate as “a white crystalline salt with a strong ammoniacal odor, used as a leavening agent in baking and as a smelling salt.”
Associations
Ammonium carbonate is commonly associated with the food industry, where it is used as a leavening agent in baked goods such as cookies, crackers, and pretzels. It is also used in the production of some pharmaceuticals and in the manufacture of ammonium salts.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of ammonium carbonate include baker’s ammonia, carbonate of ammonia, salt of hartshorn, and smelling salts.
Antonyms
As a chemical compound, ammonium carbonate does not have any antonyms.
The same root words
Ammonium carbonate is composed of the root words ammonium and carbonate. Ammonium refers to a positively charged ion composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, while carbonate refers to a negatively charged ion composed of carbon and oxygen.
Example Sentences
- The recipe called for a teaspoon of ammonium carbonate to help the cookies rise.
- The pharmacist recommended smelling salts containing ammonium carbonate to help revive the patient.
- The chemical plant produced large quantities of ammonium carbonate for use in various industries.