Nitrogen Fixation

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What is nitrogen fixation?
The process of turning N2 from the air into useful nitrogen compounds like ammonia
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How is the Haber process connected to this?
It is a non-biological way of fixing nitrogen
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Most f the mmonia produced by the Haber process is used to make what?
Fertilisers
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Fertilisers are a vital part in world food production. What do they help?
They increase the crop yield so help to feed more people.
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What happens when fertiliser is used in large amounts?
It can pollute water and cause eutrophication
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When does eutrophication happen?
When fertilisers leach ito lakes and rivers - stimulating rapid algae growth. The algae growth blocks out the light to other plants, which then die. Microorganisms then feed on dead plants, using up all oxygen needed. All life ends up dying
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How is ammonia important in industry?
It is use to manufacture plastics, explosives and pharmaceuticals
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What needs to be high in the Haber process to turn nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia?
Temperatures and pressures
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What sort of catalyst can be used to make the reaction faster
An iron catalyst
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Why is the catalyst important?
Without it the tempertaure would have to be raised even more to get a quick enough reaction, reducing the % yield even further
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What living organisms can fix nitrogen? And how do they do this?
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria. They can fix nitrogen at room temperature and pressure. They do this using biological catalysts called enzymes
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Will the raw materials for the Haber process run out?
Hydrogen comes from fossil fuels They're non-renewable and will run out. Nitrogen comes from the air so it's very unlikely it will run out
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How good is the atom economy?
All the H2 and N2 makes ammonia so the atom economy is excellent
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What do you do with the waste products?
There are no waste products as the chemicals are all recycled
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What are the energy costs?
Lots of energy is needed to keep the reaction at 450 degrees and 200 atm
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Will it damage the environment?
Fertilisers made from N2 can cause eutrophication and water pollution
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How is the Haber process connected to this?

Back

It is a non-biological way of fixing nitrogen

Card 3

Front

Most f the mmonia produced by the Haber process is used to make what?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Fertilisers are a vital part in world food production. What do they help?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What happens when fertiliser is used in large amounts?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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