Topic 2: Elemental and Environmental Chemistry

Subtopic 2.2: Cycles in Nature

State, for aerobic and anaerobic conditions, the products of the decomposition of organic matter
containing carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur.

Aerobic conditions occur when oxygen is present in the decomposition environment. Anaerobic conditions
occur in swamps and land-fills when microbes break down compounds without oxygen being present.
Element
Carbon
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sulfur

Aerobic (maximum oxidation state)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Nitrate ions (NO3-)
Phosphate ions (PO43-)
Sulfate ions (SO43-)

Anaerobic (minimum oxidation state)

Methane (CH4)
Ammonia (NH3)
Phosphine (PH3)
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

Describe and write equations for the processes of photosynthesis and aerobic respiration involving
glucose.

Photosynthesis is the photochemical process by which green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into
glucose and oxygen by use of chlorophyll and solar energy.
6CO2 + 6H2O + solar energy C6H12O6 + 6O2
Respiration is the process by which many plants and animals derive energy from the burning of glucose.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O

Describe and write equations for the formation of oxides of nitrogen by the reaction of nitrogen and
oxygen at high temperatures.

Nitrogen has a triple covalent bond which is very difficult to break. Very high temperatures or extreme
conditions are required. This occurs in either internal combustion engines or when lightning strikes in the
atmosphere.
It is a multi-step process that starts with the formation of nitric oxide from nitrogen and oxygen:
N2 + O2 2NO
The nitric oxide is then further oxidised to produce nitrogen dioxide:
2NO + O2 2NO2

Describe how the nitrogen cycle operates by natural processes (e.g. lightning, nitrogen-fixing bacteria,
decay) and industrial processes (e.g. fertiliser manufacture, combustion engines).

Natural processes:
1. Bacteria nitrogen fixing bacteria are found in plant roots and convert atmospheric nitrogen to
ammonia or ammonium ions. Other bacteria then convert into nitrate ions which can be used by the
plants.
2. Lightning the process described in the dot point above is started by lightning which has the energy
to break the nitrogen triple covalent bond. The NO 2 formed reacts with water to form nitric acid and
nitrous acid:
2NO2 + H2O H+ + NO3- + HNO2
The nitrate ions produced are then used by plants.
3. Decay of organic nitrogen results in ammonia or diatomic nitrogen being formed. The N 2 returns to the
atmosphere.
Industrial processes:
1. Combustion engines work by the same mechanism as described in the dot point above. The heat of
the internal combustion engine provides the necessary energy to break the nitrogen triple covalent
bond.

2. Fertiliser manufacture the Haber process produces ammonia from diatomic nitrogen and hydrogen:
N2 + 3H2 2NH3
High temperatures are used to break the triple covalent bond.

Explain why fertilisers need to contain nutrients in soluble form.

Plant fertilisers contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, often expressed as an N:P:K ratio.
It is important for fertilisers to be soluble as they must dissolve in soil water. Nitrates are preferable to a
compound that is solid and contains nitrogen.

Cycles in Nature:
1. Explain, using final products of C, N, P and S as examples, the difference between aerobic and anaerobic
decomposition.
2. The carbon cycle is important in biological and chemical systems.
(a) Write reaction equations for photosynthesis and respiration.
(b) Complete the following diagram:

(c) Some of the small molecules formed during anaerobic decomposition are methane, phosphine,
ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
(i)
Draw structural formula for these four molecules and name the shape of the molecule.
(ii)
Explain why phosphine has the structure shown.
(iii)
State the physical observation that one would make about anaerobic decomposition
compared with aerobic decomposition.
3. Complete the following diagram:

4. Plants remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil. These elements are added to the soil in the form of
inorganic fertilisers. Fertilisers include ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, superphosphate ammonium
phosphate and potassium nitrate. These compounds are usually sold in mixed form with different N:P:K
ratios so as to meet a particular soils needs.
(a) Give the formula of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, potassium nitrate.
(b) State the property a fertiliser must have in order to be absorbed by a plant.
(c) Explain what is meant by an N:P:K ratio.
5. The nitrogen cycle has a number of different parts:
(a) Explain, using equations how nitrogen in the air can be converted to nitrates when lightning occurs
and moisture is available in the air.
(b) State why nitrogen compounds are important to us.
(c) In what form does nitrogen exist in air?
(d) Why does nitrogen not combine with oxygen in the air under normal atmospheric conditions?
(e) What is the common name for the conversion of elemental nitrogen into compounds in the nitrogen
cycle?
(f) How do plants obtain the nitrogen compounds they need?