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Using resourcesHigherfertilisersuses of chemicals

AQA GCSE · Question 02.6 · Using resources

Ammonia and nitric acid react to produce the salt, ammonium nitrate. Ammonium ions and nitrate ions both contain nitrogen. Suggest one use of ammonium nitrate.

How to approach this question

Consider the elements present in ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃). It contains nitrogen. Think about which essential element for plant growth is often supplied artificially.

Full Answer

Fertiliser
Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is a salt that is rich in nitrogen, containing it in both the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) and the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻). Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth, as it is a key component of proteins and DNA. Soils can often be deficient in nitrogen, limiting crop yield. Therefore, nitrogen-based compounds like ammonium nitrate are manufactured on a large scale and used as fertilisers to add nitrogen to the soil, promoting healthy plant growth and increasing food production.

Common mistakes

✗ Suggesting a use unrelated to its chemical composition, e.g., "building material". ✗ Naming another use like "explosives" - while true, "fertiliser" is the most common and expected answer in this context.

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