Topic 14Topic 14FertilisersFertilisers

AimsAims

• State the different types of fertilisers• Identify the main elements required

for growth• Investigate the chemical tests for the

main ions present in fertilisers.

FertilisersFertilisers•  Increasing world population means that

we need more efficient means of food production.

• Growing plants take nutrients from the soil. These nutrients include compounds of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

FertilisersFertilisers• Fertilisers are substances which are

added to the soil to replace the essential elements needed for plant growth.

• Different plants require fertilisers containing different proportions of these nutrient elements.(N, P and K)

• Fertilisers can be Natural or Artificial.

Fertilisers

• Natural fertilisers are made from plant/animal waste.

• Artificial fertilisers need to be soluble because plants take up nutrients through their roots.

Problems with artificial fertiliers

• They are washed into lakes and rivers by rainwater where they encourage bacteria and algae to grow.

• Bacteria and algae use up dissolved oxygen in the water.

• This results in the death of fish as they cannot get enough oxygen to live.

Experiment 1Aim: To investigate the test for the

ammonium ion?

Method:Compound

Soda lime

Heat gently and test gas produced with damp pH paper

Results:

Compound Test with damp pH paper

Ammonium chloride

Potassium chloride

Magnesium chloride

Sodium sulphate

Ammonium sulphate

Potassium sulphate

Conclusion: The test for the ammonium ion is...

Experiment 2Aim: To investigate the test for the

potassium ion?

Method: Flame test wire

Results:

Compound Colour in Bunsen flame

Ammonium chloride

Potassium chloride

Magnesium chloride

Sodium sulphate

Ammonium sulphate

Potassium sulphate

Conclusion: The test for the potassium ion is...