NPK fertilisers

Question 1

what elements are found in fertiliser

Answer 1

nitrogen , phosphorus , potassium

Question 1

why is nitrogen important for plants

Answer 1

required to make amino acids and hence proteins, which are essential for growth

Question 2

how is phosphorus found

Answer 2

mined from the ground as phosphate rock.

Question 3

why cant plants use phosphorus as nutrients

Answer 3

because the phosphate salts in the rock are insoluble, plants can’t use them as nutrients, and so they can’t be used directly in fertilisers. - Instead, we have to react the phosphate rocks with acids to produce soluble salts:

Question 4

what does the reaction of phosphorus and nitric acid produce

Answer 4

phosphoric acid and calcium nitrate.

Question 5

what does the reaction of phosphorus and sulfuric acid produce

Answer 5

calcium sulfate and calcium phosphate - mixxture is known as a single superphosphate

Question 6

what does the reaction of phosphorus and phosphoric acid produce

Answer 6

calcium phosphate (also called triple superphosphate).