NPK fertilisers

• Why are fertilizers critical for modern farming?

  They replace elements taken up by plants
• What does NPK stand for in fertilizers?

  Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
• How do compounds in NPK fertilizers affect plants?

  They help plants grow larger and faster
• Where are NPK fertilizers produced?

  In large industrial facilities
• What do NPK fertilizers contain?

  Compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
• What is the main compound of nitrogen in NPK fertilizers?

  Ammonium nitrate
• What is the formula for ammonium nitrate?

  NH₄NO₃
• How is ammonia produced for fertilizers?

  By the Haber process
• What is done with ammonia to produce ammonium nitrate?

  It is reacted with nitric acid
• What are the sources of potassium in NPK fertilizers?

  Potassium chloride and potassium sulfate
• How is phosphate rock processed for fertilizers?

  It is treated with acids
• What does treating phosphate rock with nitric acid produce?

  Phosphoric acid and calcium nitrate
• Why can't phosphoric acid be added directly to plants?

  It needs to be neutralized with ammonia
• What is produced when phosphate rock is treated with sulfuric acid?

  Single super phosphate
• What is the result of treating phosphate rock with phosphoric acid?

  Triple super phosphate
• How does the production of ammonium nitrate differ in industry and a lab?

  Industry uses concentrated reactants, labs use dilute
• What type of reaction occurs when ammonia reacts with nitric acid?

  A neutralization reaction
• Why is the industrial production of ammonium nitrate more dangerous?

  It involves concentrated reactants and exothermic reactions
• How is heat managed in industrial ammonium nitrate production?

  It is safely removed and reused
• What is the production method used in labs for ammonium nitrate?

  A batch process
• How much ammonium nitrate can be produced in industry?

  Thousands of kilograms easily
• What are the key differences between industrial and lab production of fertilizers?

  • Industrial uses concentrated reactants; lab uses dilute
  • Industrial is continuous; lab is batch
  • Industrial produces large quantities; lab produces small amounts
  • Industrial reactions are exothermic; lab reactions are safer