Controlled Assessment - Fertlilisers Research
Fertilisers Fertilisers are made from ammonia and are used in modern farming as they increase crop yield. The three main fertilisers made from ammonia include, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate and urea. How are they manufactured? Fertilisers are made by the reaction of an acid and an alkali. The preparation of a fertiliser in a lab involves the following equipment: a measuring cylinder to measure the volume of a particular acid, a burette to add an alkali to the acid to try and make the solution neutral and a filter funnel to remove the solid crystals of fertiliser from the solution. The pH (power of hydrogen) value of the solution can be measured by taking samples while using universal indicator. In our examples; ammonia is reacted with nitric acid to make ammonium nitrate and ammonia is reacted with sulphuric acid to make ammonium sulphate. [2] NH3 + HNO3 › NH4NO3 Ammonia + Nitric Acid › Ammonium Nitrate NH3 + H2SO4 › (NH4)2SO4 Ammonia + Sulphuric Acid › Ammonium Sulphate When these fertilisers are manufactured in a factory the ammonia and the acid are pumped into a mixing vessel, where the solution is neutralised. The solution is then heated and the water evaporates off leaving the molten ammonium nitrate/sulphate which is sprayed into a cooling chamber. Air is blown into the bottom of the cooling chamber to cool the ammonium nitrate/sulphate. The
An investigation to see how voltage affects The electrolysis in a copper Sulphate solution using copper electrodes.
An investigation to see how voltage affects The electrolysis in a copper Sulphate solution using copper electrodes. Aim To find out how the voltage affected the electrolysis in a copper sulphate solution by weighing the amount of copper that was on the anode and the cathode and then comparing the difference from before the electrolysis. Theory Electrolysis is the process of decomposing the compounds by electrical energy and an element is produced at each electrode. In this case I have chosen copper sulphate solution to electrolyse. In the experiment when the solution is being electrolysed it starts to decompose and at cathode there is copper formed and oxygen at the anode. This is caused by electricity from the power supply, which has caused a chemical change. The reaction, which occurs at the cathode, is: Cu2+ (aq) +2e- › Cu (s) The reaction, which occurs at the anode, is: Cu (s) › Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- Variables The possible independent variables that could have been tested in this test are the following; the amount of copper sulphate in the beaker, the current, the voltage, the size of anode and cathode, the duration of time given for it to electrolyse and the distance between the anode and the cathode whilst inside the electrolyte In this test we have decided to set the voltage as our independent variable. We will then see how much copper is deposited after 3
What is a metal ore?
What is a metal ore? An ore is any kind of rock or mineral from which a metal can be profitably extracted. Metals are rarely found uncombined (as elements) in nature. They are nearly always present in the forms of compounds, often where the metal is chemically joined with oxygen. Only the most unreactive metals, like silver and gold will be found pure. The most common metals are oxides and sulphides. Ores are rocks from which we extract metals. Metals are found naturally in rocks called ores. They are in compounds, chemically bonded to other elements. However, the unreactive metals are at the bottom of the reactivity series can be found as the elements themselves. We say they are found native. We can find copper, silver, gold and platinum as the metals in nature. What factors do companies consider when deciding whether to extract a metal from its ore? There are many different factors that the companies will look for, a few of them are: - How much will it cost? - How to extract the metal? - How much the metal will be worth etc. What are the three methods of metal extraction? Given that most metals are only found locked up in their ores, but how do you go about getting them out? For a few metals, such as mercury, heat will do the trick. But for most ores the temperatures needed are far too high to make this a practical possibility. Another approach is needed. There are
Extracting Copper from Malachite
Chemistry Extracting Copper from Malachite We extracted Copper from Malachite using a displacement reaction. Although electrolysis can also be used. We used 5g of malachite and dissolved it in sulphuric acid; this was to separate the sand and the copper, because the copper dissolves into the solution but the sand remains separate. This was an exothermic reaction. We then filtered the solution to separate the sand from the Copper Sulphate solution. We then dried the sand in order to remove any excess water and weighed it. Then using a displacement reaction we added zinc to the solution (because it is higher in the reactivity series than copper) the solution gradually turned light blue, producing zinc sulphate. After flittering this solution copper was formed. We then weighed the copper. Results Sand = 1.91g Copper Ore = 3.09g Copper = 1.58g % Copper in Malachite = 1.58 5 100 = 31.6% %Copper on Copper Ore = 1.58 3.09 100 = 51.4 Theoretical % CuCO Cu(OH) H 0 2 Cu 63.5 2 = 127 6 O 16 6 = 96 4 H 1 4 = 4 1 C 12 1 = 12 Total= 239 Cu = 127 = 127 239 100 = 53% Evaluation Our plan worked considerably well as we succeeded in extracting copper from its ore. The theoretical percentage is the approximate percentage of Cu that should've been extracted throughout the experiment. So there should have been 53% of Cu extracted. In our experiment
How are products from oil obtained and used?
How are products from oil obtained and used? Crude oil is a vital substance used frequently in our everyday lives. However we are all aware that oil is being used faster than it can be produced and that there are only scarce amounts left. The question is how can we make these products last as long as possible and what are the alternatives? Crude oil is a fossil fuel, made naturally from decaying plants and animals living in ancient seas millions of years ago. It is usually found under the ground and under the sea in certain parts of the world such as the Middle East and Texas, in the USA. Although crude oil is very important substance, the oil itself has no direct use, so has to be refined. The first step in the refinery of crude oil is fractional distillation. Fractional distillation is used to separate fractions such as gasoline, bitumen, kerosene, petroleum, fuel oil, etc from crude oil. During fractional distillation the crude oil is split into a variety of fractions, during the process each fraction of the crude oil will evaporate and can therefore be collected by condensing it. This means that if you know the certain boiling points of each fraction you can separate the certain substance you need. The process begins in the oil refinery. In the oil refinery the crude oil is heated to turn the oil in to a vapour; it is then fed into the bottom of the fractionating
To find out how current affects the rate of electrolysis
Electrolysis experiment. Aim: To find out how current affects the rate of electrolysis. Pre-test: Pre-test Apparatus: . Power Pack 2. Stop watch 3. 3 wires 4. Amp meter 5. A piece of Card 6. stop watch 7. Top pan balance Pre-test Method: . Check to see if all the apparatus work by forming a small circuit with a bulb 2. Collect apparatus and set them out like the diagram below. Ensure that the positive wire leads to the anode and the negative leads to the cathode. 3. Measure out 50 ml of copper sulphate 4. In to a small class beaker 5. Weigh cathode on top pan balance 6. Slide anode and cathode in to piece of card and place in electrolyte 7. Turn on the power pack 8. Time until two minutes 9. Weigh cathode make sure you do not scrape off any copper 0. Repeat three times 1. Repeat for each current Pre-test Findings: By doing this pre-test I have learnt that: * The analog amp meter is very unreliable it * To be very accurate I need to use a multi meter * To be careful not to scrape of copper when measuring weight * Make sure that the anode and the cathode do not touch during the experiment * Make sure wires and power packs are working before you start * To change the electrolyte after each experiment * To use a stop watch instead of a clock as it is more accurate * To use a variable resistor to get the exact current you need Research: There are
Suitability Test
Suitability Test Introduction My work is about a scenario where a building contractor that wishes to develop an area of land into new houses for families. The Environment Agency has been asked to check the land for contamination. My task is to decide which method of testing Ph values in soil is most suitable for an environmental scientist. The desirable characteristics should be: * Safe: So no one is harmed whilst using it. * Easy To Use: So its easier to carry out more than once * Accurate: So that the readings are reliable. * Light: So it is easy to carry around. * Portable: So that it is easy to transport around. * Durable: So it can last longer. * Small: So that it's easier to transport. * Cheap: So it saves money and is cost effective. * Energy Efficient: So it doesn't need a mains power supply. Evaluation RED= Poor ORANGE= Average GREEN= Good Cost Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe About 3p £4.15 £6.95 £294.46 Accuracy Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe Acid/Alkali 0.5 .0 0.01 Time for results Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe 5 Minutes 5 Minutes Minute 5-10 Minutes Sensitivity Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe Acid/Alkali -14 Full Range 4-7 Full Range - More Accurate Durability Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe ***** *** **** **** Easy To Use Litmus U.I. Solution
The Age of the Earth
The Age of the Earth In 1654 it was calculated that the earth had formed on October 23, 4004 BC. James Ussher made this discovery from the Bible. Nowadays the age of the earth is determined to be at least 4.5 billion years old. People all over the world now disagree with Ussher's theory because of religious reasons and most Christians still believe that the Earth was created 4004BC. Almost all of our evidence towards the Earth's age comes from the examination of rocks. People who analyse new discoveries of fossils and meteorites can possibly lead us to knowing the age since we can examine carbon and radiocarbon dating. Fossils in sedimentary rocks and the weathering of most ancient craters prove to us that some of the eldest bits rocks date back to about 4.5 billion years old. There is evidence to prove that the earth had formed approximately 1 billion years ago by radiometric age dating of particular rocks, such as lead in uranium-rich minerals which had showed us that it was in excess of being a billion years old. However the oldest bits of minerals to be discovered are small crystals of zircon that was found at Jack Hills of Western Australia. The dating of these minerals were approximately 4.404 billion years old. The earth must have been as old as any formation on it and information such as this can easily be considered as proof of the earth's existence meaning that
Aerosols in Atmosphere - Environmental and Economical Impact.
Eni Ballauri 9A Chemistry Aerosols in Atmosphere Environmental and Economical Impact We have heard that greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, are leading to global warming. But, another factor has been identified that affects Earth's atmosphere; aerosols. Aerosols are small particles or droplets in the atmosphere. Aerosol particles may be created by wind blowing over dusty regions, and also by the conversion into tiny particles of some of the gases emitted by plants and volcanoes. Some aerosols remain in air only a few days, so they don't have much time to travel away. But nevertheless, they affect our surrounding environment at the local and global levels. It is also recognised as a health problem, especially in regard to respiratory illness. Atmospheric aerosols influence climate. They reflect the sunlight back to space, in a way that provides the gradual cooling of planet Earth. A professor in CU-Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Toon, who has studied similar modification of clouds over the ocean and their effects, said that aerosol cloud may even cancel out greenhouse warming. During winter, in polar regions, polar stratospheric clouds form. This provides sites for chemical reactions to take place. These reactions can lead reaction of reactive chlorine, which destroys the ozone. Contrary, because of loosing the ozone layer, Earth will lose
The production of plastics involves a process called polymerization.
Plastics Plastics consist of a variation of materials deriving from petroleum. Plastics are made up from various combinations of elements. Plastics are easily moulded into shapes and degrade slowly. It is these qualities of plastics that make plastics so useful for many purposes. However the production of plastics has many environmental consequences. The production of plastics involves a process called polymerization. Polymerization is the process whereby multiple monomers are joined in cohesion to form a polymer chain. These monomers are extracted from crude oils. The polymerization process causes the liquid monomers to change into solid polymers due to the increase of molecular weight. The production of plastics involves the extraction of monomers from crude oil such as petroleum. Crude oil is a non renewable resource so it is therefore imperative that the production of plastic is minimized. There are many different types of plastic packaging. Polyethylene terephthalate and high density polyethylene is used for bottling. Low density polyethylene is used for carrier bags and packaging films. Polypropylene is used for margarine tubs. Polystyrene is used for yoghurt pots, egg cartons, packaging for electronic goods and toys, foam hamburger boxes. Plastics are an essential part of the packaging industry. Plastics properties enable it to be easy to handle in various
