CHAPTER 20 PRODUCTS FROM AIR

1. What is Nitrogen cycle? Explain with diagram.

Ans: The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living
organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition.

Nitrogen cycle:

a. Plants use the nitrogen presence in the air to make proteins.
b. Animals eat plants.
c. Animal use the nitrogen to make protein.
d. Animal excrete animals die.
e. Denitrifying Bacteria convert and decay substance to form nitrate and ammonium compounds in the soil.
f. These nitrates are taken in through roots by plants.
g. Nitrogen air is also converted to nitrates and ammonia compounds.

2. What is nitrogen fixation?
Ans: Turning nitrogen gas in the air to nitrates or any other nitrogen compound is called fixing nitrogen.

3. What is Haber process? Explain in details.
Ans: An industrial process for producing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen, using an iron catalyst at high
temperature and pressure.

a) nitrogen + hydrogen ammonia
N
2
(g) + 3H
2
(g) 2NH
3
(g)
b) Raw materials: i) Air (for Nitrogen gas)
ii) Natural gas (for Hydrogen)
iii) Steam (to make Hydrogen and to generate high pressure)
c) Condition: i) Temp 450
c

ii) 200 atmospheric pressure
iii) Catalyst: Iron














a) The reaction is exothermic
b) The reaction is reversible
c) Hydrogen is reacted with air from which O
2
and CO
2
removed
d) Nitrogen(N2) and Hydrogen(H2) react in Haber process to form liquid ammonia
e) Un-reacted Nitrogen and Hydrogen are recycled

4. Write down the properties of Ammonia.
Ans: The properties of Ammonia are:
a) Formula NH
3

b) Ammonia compounds react with alkali to form ammonia
NH
4
Cl(s) + Ca (OH)
2
(s) NH
3
(g) + H
2
O
c) Its only the alkaline gas.
d) Its turn damp red litmus paper blue.
e) It is lighter than water.
f) It is soluble in water

5. How can we make Nitric Acid explain with diagram?
Ans: Making Nitric Acid (HNO
3
):
Step 1: In the first stage ammonia reacts with oxygen. The Ammonia is oxidised to form nitrogen monoxide along
with Platinum/rhodium catalyst at 900
C
.

platinum/rhodium
ammonia + oxygen nitrogen monoxide + water
NH
3
(g) + O
2
(g) NO + H
2
O
Step 2: Then the nitrogen monoxide reacts with more oxygen. It changes into nitrogen dioxide:
nitrogen monoxide + oxygen nitrogen dioxide
NO (g) + O
2
(g) NO
2
(g)
Step 3: Finally, the nitrogen dioxide and more oxygen react with water to make nitric acid, HNO
3
.
nitrogen dioxide + oxygen + water nitric acid
NO
2
(g) + O
2
(g) + H
2
O HNO
3


6. How can we make fertiliser explain?
Ans: Making fertiliser:
a) Ammonia react with acid to form fetilisers
b) If sulphuric acid is used ammonium sulphate forms
ammonia + sulphuric acid ammonium sulphate
2NH
3
(aq) + H
2
SO
4
(aq) (NH
4
)
2
SO
4
(aq)

If nitric acid is used ammonium nitrate forms
If phosphoric acid is used ammonium phosphate forms

7. How can we make ammonium nitrate explain with diagram?
Ans: Making ammonium nitrate:

a) ammonia and nitric acid react to form ammonium nitrate and neutralization reaction
b) Water is evaporated from it is a heater to form molten ammonium nitrate
c) The spray of molten ammonium nitrate is then made into pellets by blowing air into it.
d) NH
4
(aq) + HNO
3
(aq) NH
4
NO
3
(s) + H
2
O(I)

8. Write down the importance of fertilizers.
Ans: The importance of fertilizers
a) Nitrogen is needed for proteins in leaves and stalks
b) Phosphorus speed the growth of roots and ripening of fruits.
c) Potassium protects plants against disease and frost damage. It promotes speed growth.
d) NPK fertilizers are those that contain Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
e) All N, P and K (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) are needed in fertilizers depend on the type of
soil and plant.

9. Write down the disadvantages of fertilizers.
Ans: The disadvantages of fertilizers are:
a) Excess or uncontrolled use can spoil the soil properties, Osmotic pressure, pH, Conductivity and
water holding capacity.
b) It may also affect adversely on population of micro-organisms and other parameters.
c) it can also damage water resources