New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Ammonia: NPK fertiliser production and other applications

I can describe applications of industrial chemistry in agriculture, specifically in the production of ammonium salts for fertilisers.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Ammonia: NPK fertiliser production and other applications

I can describe applications of industrial chemistry in agriculture, specifically in the production of ammonium salts for fertilisers.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Fertilisers contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds to promote plant growth.
  2. Ammonia is a feedstock for manufacture of fertilisers, explosives, plastics, dyes and cleaning products.
  3. Ammonia can be used to manufacture ammonium salts and nitric acid.
  4. The laboratory preparation of ammonium salts is not the same as the industrial preparation.

Common misconception

Ammonia and ammonium are the same thing.

Carefully compare the different chemical formulae, structures, and distinct uses in fertilisers vs. industrial applications. Use visual aids to reinforce these differences.

Keywords

  • Fertiliser - a mixture of soluble chemicals added to soil that replace the mineral ions needed by plants, to promote plant growth

  • Eutrophication - a term used to describe when nutrients accumulate in bodies of water, which results in an increased growth of microorganisms that reduce the oxygen availability in the water

  • Salt - an ionic compound formed from positive and negative ions electrostatically attracted to each other

  • Batch process - a manufacturing method made up of discrete stages, rather than a product being constantly produced

  • Continuous process - a manufacturing method where a product is constantly produced

Discuss the impact of different fertilisers on agriculture and the environment. Use case studies or news articles to connect the lesson content to real-world scenarios, enhancing relevance and interest.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Name the industrial process used to make ammonia.
Correct Answer: Haber process, Haber
Q2.
Which of the following are properties of ammonia?
Correct answer: colourless gas
dissolves in water to form an acidic solution
Correct answer: dissolves in water to form an alkaline solution
high boiling point
Q3.
Which of the following shows ammonia?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q4.
Nitrogen reacts with hydrogen to form ammonia. Which of the following shows this balanced chemical reaction?
Correct answer: N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃
2N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃
N₂ + H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃
N₂ + 2H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃
Q5.
When the symbol ⇌ is used in an equation it means that the reaction is .
Correct Answer: reversible
Q6.
What happens to the unreacted hydrogen and nitrogen gases used in the Haber process?
Correct answer: They are recycled back into the process.
They are released into the atmosphere.
All the nitrogen and hydrogen are used in the reaction.
They form other products.

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following terms to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:fertiliser,Mixture of soluble chemicals added to soil to replace mineral ions.

Mixture of soluble chemicals added to soil to replace mineral ions.

Correct Answer:eutrophication,Process where nutrients accumulate in body of water, removing oxygen.

Process where nutrients accumulate in body of water, removing oxygen.

Correct Answer:batch process,Manufacturing process made of discrete stages or steps.

Manufacturing process made of discrete stages or steps.

Correct Answer:continuous process,Manufacturing process where a product is constantly produced.

Manufacturing process where a product is constantly produced.

Correct Answer:feedstock,A raw material used to provide reactants for an industrial reaction.

A raw material used to provide reactants for an industrial reaction.

Q2.
NPK fertilisers contain , phosphorus and potassium compounds to promote plant growth.
Correct Answer: nitrogen
Q3.
Which of the following are uses of nitrogen in plants?
Correct answer: chlorophyll production
Correct answer: protein synthesis
respiration
photosynthesis
Q4.
Which acid reacts with ammonia to make ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃?
Correct Answer: nitric acid, nitric
Q5.
Put the steps involved in making pure, dry salt crystals of ammonium sulfate from ammonia and sulfuric acid in the lab in the correct order, starting by adding your reactants to a suitable container.
1 - A known volume & concentration of ammonia solution are added to a conical flask.
2 - From a burette, a known concentration of acid is added to be fully neutralised.
3 - A neutral solution forms, and is transferred to an evaporating dish.
4 - The solution is warmed slightly, then left to cool and crystallise.
5 - Any remaining solvent is remove by drying crystals in an oven or dabbing dry.
Q6.
Which of the following are used in the laboratory production of ammonia salts, but not in the industrial production of ammonia salts?
evaporate water from the crystals
Correct answer: react ammonia and acid in a conical flask
collect dry crystals of ammonium salts
Correct answer: react an acid with ammonia using titration