Question
What do the units NH3-N mean?
Summary
Explanation of the nitrogen, ammonia units NH3-N chemical form
Answer
Ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen, ammonia (NH3-N) are different expressions of the chemical forms of ammonia. The NH3-N form uses the molecular weight of only the nitrogen atoms. The NH3 form uses the molecular weight of the entire ammonia molecule, 1 nitrogen atom + 3 hydrogen atoms.
The nitrogen-ammonia NH3-N form is common because it relates to other nitrogen compounds such as nitrogen, nitrite NO2-N or nitrogen, nitrate NO3-N.
Provided below is the conversion chart to convert NH3 to NH3-N
NH3 = NH3-N * 1.21589
Assumed atomic weights:
H: 1.008, N: 14.007
Please also see, What is the relationship between Ammonia (NH3) and other nitrogen groups
The nitrogen-ammonia NH3-N form is common because it relates to other nitrogen compounds such as nitrogen, nitrite NO2-N or nitrogen, nitrate NO3-N.
Provided below is the conversion chart to convert NH3 to NH3-N
NH3 = NH3-N * 1.21589
Assumed atomic weights:
H: 1.008, N: 14.007
Please also see, What is the relationship between Ammonia (NH3) and other nitrogen groups