State why farmers spread fertilisers on their fields - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2014 - Paper 1
Question 1
State why farmers spread fertilisers on their fields.
Using too much fertiliser can harm the environment.
Describe how the spreading of too much fertiliser on field... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:State why farmers spread fertilisers on their fields - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2014 - Paper 1
Step 1
State why farmers spread fertilisers on their fields.
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Answer
Farmers spread fertilisers on their fields to increase crop growth, yield, and overall productivity. Fertilisers provide essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) that help plants develop healthy and robust.
Step 2
Describe how the spreading of too much fertiliser on fields can harm the environment.
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Answer
Excessive use of fertilisers can lead to runoff, which washes nutrients into water bodies. This can result in eutrophication, where algal blooms increase, blocking sunlight and depleting oxygen in the water. Such conditions harm aquatic life and may contaminate drinking water sources.
Step 3
Write the word equation for this reaction.
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