1. Why Make Ammonia?
Incredible "Toilet" Plant
The video describes how the tree shrew and pitcher plant shares a symbiotic relationship with one another. The lid of the pitcher plant has nectar for the tree shrew to lick as the tree shrew defecates into the pitcher. The faeces are then used as a source of nitrogen for the pitcher plant.
But not all plants can get their fertiliser as easily as the pitcher plant. Human beings have to manufacture nitrogen-containing fertilisers to help grow the plants. Ammonia is needed to make nitrogen-containing fertilisers.
2. How to make ammonia?
Laboratory Preparation of Ammonia
Chemists prepare ammonia by reaction of alkalis with ammonium salts warming an ammonium compound with a base. Because of the high solubility of ammonia in water, we have to use a base in the solid state:
3. Reversible Reactions
If molecules were people
When molecules collide, chemical reactions can occur -- causing major structural changes akin to getting a new arm on your face! George Zaidan and Charles Morton playfully imagine chemical systems as busy city streets, and the colliding molecules within them as your average, limb-swapping joes.
Simulation of a dynamic equilibrium
Reversibility and Activation Energy (FYI)
Why are some reactions reversible while others are not? A reaction becomes more reversible if the activation of the backward reaction becomes lower. In this simulation, you will explore the links between thermodynamics and kinetics - one of the overarching concepts in Chemistry!
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6. Le Chatelier's Principle
Le Chatelier's Principle
Although this is not in O Level Syllabus, some of you might be interested to know why changing temperature and pressure can result in an increase/decrease in the yield of the reaction. In this video Paul Andersen explains how Le Chatelier's Principle can be used to predict the effect of disturbances to equilibrium. When a reversible reaction is at equilibrium disturbances (in concentration, temperature, pressure, etc.) will be offset to reach a new equilibrium.
7. The Haber Process
The Chemical Reaction that Feeds the World
How do we grow crops quickly enough to feed the Earth's billions? It's called the Haber process, which turns the nitrogen in the air into ammonia, easily converted in soil to the nitrate plants need to survive. Though it has increased food supply worldwide, the Haber process has also taken an unforeseen toll on the environment. Daniel D. Dulek delves into the chemistry and consequences.
The Man Who Killed Millions and Saved Billions
Fritz Haber is the scientist who arguably most transformed the world. Do you think he is considered a hero or a villain?
Control a Haber-Bosch Ammonia Plant
Use the Haber process to synthesize ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen. First, adjust the operating parameters on the Control Panel, then click "Run." Try to maximise ammonia (NH₃) production and net profit during each 24-hour shift. You can compare runs by pressing the "See Results" button.
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