10.4.4

NPK Fertilisers 1

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Nitrogen-Containing Compounds in Fertilisers

The nitrogen-containing compounds that are found in fertilisers are made using ammonia and nitric acid, which is manufactured by oxidising ammonia.

Illustrative background for Ammonium nitrate reactionIllustrative background for Ammonium nitrate reaction ?? "content

Ammonium nitrate reaction

  • Reacting nitric acid and ammonia produces ammonium nitrate:
    • Ammonia + nitric acid → ammonium nitrate
    • NH3(aq) + HNO3(aq) → NH4NO3(aq)
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Exceptionally rich in nitrogen

  • Because it contains two sources of nitrogen, ammonium nitrate is ideal for use in fertilisers.

Phosphorus-Containing Compounds in Fertilisers

Phosphate rock is a source of insoluble phosphorus that is obtained by mining. Useful soluble products can be obtained by treating the rock with acids:

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Phosphate rock + nitric acid

  • Phosphate rock + nitric acid → phosphoric acid + calcium nitrate
Illustrative background for Phosphate rock + sulfuric acidIllustrative background for Phosphate rock + sulfuric acid ?? "content

Phosphate rock + sulfuric acid

  • Phosphate rock + sulfuric acid → single superphosphate
    • Single superphosphate is a mixture of calcium sulfate and calcium phosphate.
Illustrative background for Phosphate rock + phosphoric acidIllustrative background for Phosphate rock + phosphoric acid ?? "content

Phosphate rock + phosphoric acid

  • Phosphate rock + phosphoric acid → triple superphosphate
    • Triple superphosphate is also known as calcium phosphate.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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