CHAPTER 13: Nitrogen and Sulfur

Learning outcomes:

explain the lack of reactivity of nitrogen
describe and explain:
- the basicity of ammonia
- the structure of the ammonium ion and its formation by an acid-base reaction
- the displacement of ammonia from its salts
describe the Haber process for the manufacture of ammonia from its elements, giving essential operating conditions, and interpret these conditions (qualitatively) in terms of the principles of kinetics and equilibria
state the industrial importance of ammonia and nitrogen compounds derived from ammonia
state and explain the environmental consequences of the uncontrolled use of nitrate fertilisers
state and explain the natural and man-made occurrences of oxides of nitrogen and their catalytic removal from the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines
explain why atmospheric oxides of nitrogen are pollutants, including their catalytic role in the oxidation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide
describe the formation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide from the combustion of sulfur contaminated carbonaceous fuels
state the role of sulfur dioxide in the formation of acid rain and describe the main environmental consequences of acid rain
state the main details of the Contact process for sulfuric acid production
describe the use of sulfur dioxide in food preservation