When ammonia dissolves in water, it reacts with water to form ammonium ions (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH−) according to the equilibrium: NH3+H2O⇌NH4++OH−\text{NH}_3+\text{H}_2\text{O}\rightleftharpoons \text{NH}_4^++\text{OH}^-NH3​+H2​O⇌NH4+​+OH− The presence of hydroxide ions (OH−) makes the solution alkaline (basic), not acidic. The solution typically has a pH above 7, usually around 11 to 12 depending on the concentration of ammonia. Therefore, the solution formed by dissolving ammonia in water will be alkaline.