c6.1.2 making fertilisers

Question 1

what are the main 3 elements plant need

Answer 1

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

Question 2

how to make potassium sulfate

Answer 2

1. place dilute potassium hydroxide solution into a conical flask with some drops of phenolphthalein indicator
2. add dilute sulfuric acid from a burette until the indicator changes to colorless
3. add activated charcoal, and this should attract all the indicator
4. filter out the charcoal
5. warm the filtrate to evaporate the water, leaving potassium sulfate behind. DO NOT DRY TO DRYNESS

Question 3

how to make ammonia sulfate

Answer 3

1. place the dilute ammonia solution in a conical flask with some methyl orange indicator.
2. add dilute sulfuric acid from a burette until the indicator changes to red
3. when you reach the end-point, add some extra ammonia solution to ensure that the reaction is complete.
4. any extra ammonia solution will be removed through evaporation
   AMMONIA GIVES A VERY SHARP SMELL SO BE CAREFUL

Question 4

symptoms of nitrogen deficiency

Answer 4

poor growth, yellow leaves

Question 5

symptoms of phosphorus deficiency

Answer 5

poor root growth, discoloured leaves

Question 6

symptoms of potassium deficiency

Answer 6

poor fruit growth, discoloured leaves.