| MadSci Network: Chemistry |
In addition to carbon dioxide and water, plants require several different elements for adequate growth. They include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium calcium, sulfur and magnesium. Nitrogen fertilizers contain nitrate salts and ammonium salts as well as other compounds. Plants can absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrate directly but ammonium salts and ammonia must be converted to nitrates by the action of bacteria in soil. Reacting ammonia with nitric acid produces ammonium nitrate, which is used as a common fertilizer among other things. Nitrogen is an essential element of life; it is a component of proteins and nucleic acids, which are basic building blocks of life. Liquid ammonia is a strong base and an excellent solvent for many electrolytes, especially when a more basic medium is required or if the solutes react with water. Strong bases are used commonly to dissolve solids in clogged water pipes in households. It is a polar molecule containing a free electron pair and therefore dissolves compounds much like water does. Most general chemistry texts provide detailed explanation of these subjects. You may want to read about The Nitrogen Cycle, Denitrification, Nitrate Reduction and Nitrogen Fixation.
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