Fertilisers Flashcards
Why do we use synthetic fertilisers?
We use synthetic fertilisers because There’s is more demand on food because of the growing population.
What are the three essential elements for plant growth?
Nitrogen (N)
Potassium (K)
Phosphorus (P)
How can plants absorb fertilisers
The fertilisers have to be soluble so the plant can absorb them.
What can overuse of fertilisers result in?
Unused fertilisers being washed out into rivers and causing damage to wildlife.
What is the industrial process for making ammonia?
The Haber process
What are the reactants in the Haber process?
Nitrogen and hydrogen
What temperature is the Haber process carried out at ?
450 degrees
Why do we not use higher temperatures for the Haber process?
Higher temperatures lead ammonia to break down into nitrogen and hydrogen.
What is the catalyst used in the Haber process
Iron
Ammonia and water coverts to what product?
Ammonium hydroxide
What are the reactants of ammonium nitrate?
Ammonia and nitric acid
How can you tell if ammonia is made from a experiment?
Strong smell is given off
How can we make nitrogen dioxide from the air (natural) ?
Large amount of energy from lightning breaks the three bonds in nitrogen allowing the nitrogen to bond with oxygen. This makes nitrogen dioxide.
How do we make nitrogen dioxide (industrial) ?
Get a breaker. Place a tube in ammonia solution inside the beaker. Place a red hot platinum catalyst on the other side of beaker. Allow oxygen to pass through the tube into the ammonia solution making nitrogen monoxide and water. The nitrogen monoxide travels out the beaker and combines with more oxygen.
Why do we no longer have to heat the platinum catalyst in this reaction?
It is an exothermic reaction meaning it gives off heat.
