Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula (NH4)2SO4, which is one of the commonly used fertilizers and industrial raw materials. It has the following functions and uses:
1. As a fertilizer: ammonium sulfate is rich in nitrogen and sulfur, which are very important for plant growth. Therefore, ammonium sulfate is often used as a high-quality nitrogen fertilizer, which can provide the nitrogen required by plants and promote the growth and development of plants.
2. Increase soil acidity: ammonium sulfate is an acidic fertilizer, which can reduce the pH value of the soil and make the soil more acidic. This is beneficial for plants that require acidic soil, such as azaleas and blueberries.
3. Industrial applications: Ammonium sulfate also has important applications in industry. It can be used as a raw material for the preparation of other fertilizers and pesticides, such as urea and ammonium nitrate. In addition, ammonium sulfate is used in the manufacture of gunpowder and explosives, as well as in the production of dyes and pigments in the textile industry.

4. Protein precipitation: Ammonium sulfate can be used in biotechnology and molecular biology experiments to precipitate proteins. Due to the high solubility of ammonium sulfate, protein precipitation and purification can be achieved by adjusting the concentration of ammonium sulfate in solution.
In short, ammonium sulfate, as an important chemical raw material and fertilizer, has a wide range of applications in agricultural production, industrial manufacturing and laboratory research.