Fertilisers

Question 1

Name three essential nutrients plants need in order to grow

Answer 1

nitrates, phosphates, potassium

NPK

Question 2

Why do fertilisers need to be dissolved in water to get into plants?

Answer 2

because they are taken up through the roots

Question 3

Give examples of natural/organic fertilisers

Answer 3

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK)

Question 4

How can fertilisers be produced using neutralisation reactions

Answer 4

ammonia neutralises to make soluble salts which can be used as fertilisers as they contain nitrogen

Question 5

Describe the Haber process

Answer 5

the Haber process is used to manufacture industry ammonia. nitrogen from the air and hydrogen react to form ammonia and this reaction is reversible. an iron catalyst is used to speed up the reaction however, not all the nitrogen and hydrogen are converted into ammonia instead they re recycled in the reaction

Question 6

Describe the Otswald process

Answer 6

the Otswald process is when ammonia reacts with oxygen to produce nitric acid. a platinum catalyst is used to speed up the reaction. the reaction is an exothermic reaction

Question 7

Why is the Otswald process important?

Answer 7

because it produces nitric acid which can be used to form nitrates used in fertilisers

Question 8

What problems are caused by the use of fertilisers?

Answer 8

rain can wash fertilisers into rivers and lochs and cause harmful bacteria:algae to grow rapidly. This bacteria removes oxygen from the water and kills fish and plants.