Abstract:
The purpose of the Liquid Fertilizer experiment was to create a liquid fertilizer out of the chemicals given us by our TA Tasmin Rahman. What is a liquid fertilizer? Well a liquid fertilizer is a mixture of elements that can’t have precipitates in it or else it wouldn’t be considered a liquid fertilizer. It must also have a pH between 6-7 on the pH scale. By a process of measuring and remeasuring we finally came to conclusion that it takes 1.537 g of Na3PO4, 0.7887g of NaNO3, and 0.1737g Fe(NO3)3, 0.1940g of KCl, and 0.1815g EDTA to create a liquid fertilizer with no precipitates and have a pH of 6-7 on the pH scale.
Introduction:
This report discusses a two-day experiment to study which elements are required to make a liquid fertilizer. We were given the following elements as listed for sample one day one. ( for sample two we used the following: .
For our second day trial one we used
Experimental:
The fertilizer experiment was broken up into two separate weeks. During week one all components of this experiment were used except for iron as that was added in during week two. Sample 1
Week one First thing we did was clean out all materials that were being used. Then we weighed out the chemicals we were going to be using is solid form. Richard and Nicholas weighed out 0.5870g of NH4Cl and 0.1904 g of KCl. Claire weighed out 0.3799g of Na3PO4. Following the weighing process the chemicals, the powders were then transferred in the 25mL volumetric flask. We then filled the volumetric flask up with DI water to the 25mL line, the flask was then inverted and the solution was mixed until transparent. Using a watchglas and pH strips, (ripped into multiple pieces) a small drop of the liquid was placed on it which we then compared to the pH scale on the container. For trial 1, the solution was basic. After concluding that the solution was basic, 5 drops of HCl was added. After each drop the flask was inverted multiple time in order to thoroughly mix the liquid. We then achieved a pH level between 6-7.
Trial 2
Week two For trial two we followed the exact same steps as trial one, except Richard weighed out 0.9354g of NaNO3 Nicholas 0.1903 g of KCl. Claire weighed out 0.3820g of Na3PO4. Continuing with the same sequence as trial one, we determined that the solution was basic. We added 3 drops of HCl to the mixture. After each drop the flask was inverted multiple time in order to thoroughly mix the liquid. A pH level between 6-7 was obtained.
Week 2 All three elements for trial one were weighed to specific measurements given information from our textbook. Frist thing first is to clean out all materials to being used. Next weigh the following elements to the specified weight using the scale in the classroom; Richard Z. weighed out 0.4942g of NH4Cl and 0.1828g EDTA. Nicholas weighed out 0.1953 of KCl, 0.1796g Fe(NO3)3, and Claire K. weighed out 1.541g of Na3PO4
After weighing the chemicals, the Ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium phosphate were then transferred in a 25mL volumetric flask (provided by our TA) and roughly 10mL was added to help dissolve the former powders. After weighing the EDTA and iron(III) nitrate were then transferred to a large test tube and diluted with DI water (approximately 10mL).
The large test tube solution was then added to the volumetric flask using a funnel. Next more DI water was added to the fill the volumetric flask up to the 25mL line. The flask was inverted and
shaken multiple times until transparency was achieved. Using a watch glass, pH strips were ripped into multiple pieces (in order to save the expensive material) and a small drop of the liquid was placed on it and compare it to the pH scale. For trial 1, the solution was basic.
After determining that the solution was basic 4 drops of HCl were added. After each drop the flask was inverted multiple time in order to thoroughly mix the liquid a pH level between 6-7 was achieved.
Trial 2
First, we cleaned all the materials from the previous trial. Then we weighed out the same elements again Richard weighed out 1.537 g of Na3PO4, 0.7887g of NaNO3, and 0.1737g Fe(NO3)3. Nicholas, 0.1940g of KCl, Claire weighed out 0.1815g EDTA. After weighing the chemicals, the sodium nitrate, potassium chloride, and sodium phosphate they were then transferred in the 25mL volumetric flask and roughly 10mL were added to help dissolve the former powders. After weighing the EDTA and iron(III) nitrate were then transferred to a large test tube and diluted with DI water (roughly 10mL). The flask was inverted and shaken multiple times until transparency was achieved. Using a watch glass, pH strips were ripped into multiple pieces (in order to save the expensive material) and a small drop of the liquid was placed on it and compare it to the pH scale. Concluding that the solution was basic we added 4 drops of HCl, then inverted the flask multiple times to ensure a proper mixture we achieved pH level between 6-7 was achieved.
Results and Discussion:
For Day One:
Grams Weighed for Chemicals
Is the Solution Clear?
pH Levels
Amount of Acid Added
Before Acid Added
After Acid Added
Sample 1
0.3799g Na3PO4, 0.5870g NH4Cl, 0.1904KCl
Yes
10
6.5
5 drops 1M HCl
Sample 2
0.3820g Na3PO4, 0.1903g KCl, 0.9354g NaNO3
Yes
10
6.5
3 drops 1M HCl
Calculations:
For Phosphorus-
For Potassium-
Results Obtained/Data:
Grams Weighed for Chemicals
Is the Solution Clear?
pH Levels
Amount of Acid Added
Before Acid Added
After Acid Added
Sample 1
0.3799g Na3PO4, 0.5870g NH4Cl, 0.1904KCl
Yes
10
6.5
5 drops 1M HCl
Sample 2
0.3820g Na3PO4, 0.1903g KCl, 0.9354g NaNO3
Yes
10
6.5
3 drops 1M HCl
Day 2 of Liquid Fertilizer
Grams Weighed for Chemicals
Is the Solution Clear?
pH Levels
Amount of Acid Added
Before Acid Added
After Acid Added
Sample 1
1.541g Na3PO4
0.4942g NH4Cl
0.1953 of KCl,
0.1828g EDTA,
0.1796g Fe(NO3)3
Yes
10
6.5
4 drops 1M HCl
Sample 2
1.537g Na3PO4,
0.7887g NaNO3, 0.1940g KCl, 0.1815g EDTA, 0.1737g Fe(NO3)3
Yes
10
6.5
4 drops 1M HCl
Nutrient
Percent by Mass
Nitrogen (N)
0.60
Phosphorus (P)
0.50
Potassium (K)
0.40
Iron (Fe)
0.10
Magnesium (Mg)
–
Sulfur (S)
–
Conclusions:
Day One: After calculating all three elements in both samples we found that both of our initial mixtures were transparent, not opaque, showing we were accurate with our measurements. Although some of the measurements were off by a few thousandths of a gram the solution still came out correctly. We concluded that both samples were basic and in need of some added Hydrochloric Acid to neutralize it as both were bases of 10.0. Sample 1 needed 5 drops of HCl and sample 2 needing 3 drops of HCl. After neutralizing both samples, we concluded that they were at a base of 6.5 on the pH scale, we tested each sample to ensure accuracy 5 times and got the same results.
Day Two: Trial One: After combining all four elements that were assigned to us into a 25mL volumetric flask we concluded that our mixture was a strong base and the it needed to add an acid to it to neutralize it. We added four of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) to make it a neutral base. The pH was at a 10 during the experiment and after adding the drops we got to a 7.
Trial Two: For our second trial of the experiment we switched the element as stated in out procedure and we came out with another strong base. In conclusion, we added four more drops of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) and got to a more neutral base of 7 on the pH scale. We concluded that it takes 1.537 g of Na3PO4, 0.7887g of NaNO3, and 0.1737g Fe(NO3)3, 0.1940g of KCl, and 0.1815g EDTA to successfully create a liquid fertilizer.
References:
For this experiment we used Canvas as our primary source for all the information obtained about chemical weights. We also used your help with confirming that our bases were neutral.
• Canvas
• Chemistry: A Molecular Approach
o Tro, N. J.; Fridgen, T. D.; Shaw, L.; Boikess, R. S. Chemistry: a molecular approach; Pearson Canada: Toronto, 2017.
• Richard Zhang
• Claire Kottenstette
• Our TA Tasmin Rahman