Smelling salts

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/smelling-salts

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the chemical formula?(NH4)2CO3
2. What is the primary stimulant?Ammonia gas released from ammonium carbonate
3. What are smelling salts made of?They are mainly ammonium carbonate, a white crystalline solid that releases ammonia gas when dissolved in water.
4. How do smelling salts help someone wake up?The ammonia vapor irritates nerves in the nose, making you gasp and breathe more, which brings more oxygen to the brain and helps you feel awake again.

Syncope: The medical term for fainting or a temporary loss of consciousness.
Ammonia Vapor: The gaseous form of ammonia, which irritates the respiratory system.
Trigeminal Nerve: A cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions like biting and chewing.