npk fertalisers

Question 1

What are the three main elements in NPK fertilizers?

Answer 1

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

NPK fertilizers are critical for modern farming as they improve agricultural productivity.

Question 2

What is the main nitrogen compound in NPK fertilizers?

Answer 2

Ammonium nitrate

The formula for ammonium nitrate is NH4NO3.

Question 3

How is ammonia produced for ammonium nitrate?

Answer 3

By the Haber process

The Haber process synthesizes ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen.

Question 4

What are the two main sources of potassium in NPK fertilizers?

Answer 4

Potassium chloride, potassium sulfate

Both are mined from the ground and can be used directly.

Question 5

What must be done to phosphate rock before it can be used in fertilizers?

Answer 5

It must be chemically processed

Phosphate rock is treated with acids to produce usable compounds.

Question 6

What is produced when phosphate rock is treated with nitric acid?

Answer 6

Phosphoric acid and calcium nitrate

Phosphoric acid contains phosphorus but cannot be used directly in fertilizers.

Question 7

What is the result of neutralizing phosphoric acid with ammonia?

Answer 7

Ammonium phosphate

Ammonium phosphate can be used in NPK fertilizers.

Question 8

What is single super phosphate?

Answer 8

A mixture of calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate

It is produced by treating phosphate rock with sulfuric acid.

Question 9

What is produced when phosphate rock is treated with phosphoric acid?

Answer 9

Triple super phosphate

This compound is also used in NPK fertilizers.

Question 10

What is the difference between the production of ammonium nitrate in industry and in a lab?

Answer 10

Industry uses concentrated nitric acid and gaseous ammonia; lab uses dilute solutions

Industrial processes are more dangerous due to exothermic reactions.

Question 11

What type of process is used in labs to produce ammonium nitrate?

Answer 11

Batch process

This limits the amount produced at one time.

Question 12

What type of process is used in industry for the production of ammonium nitrate?

Answer 12

Continuous process

This allows for large-scale production of thousands of kilograms.

Question 13

True or False: NPK fertilizers replace the elements taken up by plants.

Answer 13

False

They improve agricultural productivity rather than simply replacing elements.