Industrial Chemistry – fertilizers, esterification, petroleum
ChemistryApplied & Practical ChemistryAges 16–17
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Sign in to playThree chemistry topics in one sim, selected with the topic parameter. Fertilizers: choose a fertilizer type and the amount applied per hectare, see the actual nutrient content, watch the crop grow and the yield rise along a curve before leveling off, and see how overuse causes eutrophication of water bodies. Organic chemistry practical: the esterification reaction CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH ⇌ CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O reaches equilibrium with K = 4 — change the alcohol/acid mole ratio to see the yield change. Petroleum: a fractional distillation tower with temperature varying by height, and the composition and uses of each fraction.
Lesson: Fertilizers and their proper use; organic chemistry experience and practical; crude oil and petroleum refining
What it shows
Three applied topics share one simulation. Fertilizers: the mass of urea, superphosphate, potassium chloride or NPK applied is converted into the N, P₂O₅ or K₂O actually supplied, and crop yield rises then levels off as the dose grows, while excess nutrients cause eutrophication. Esterification: CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH ⇌ CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O reaches equilibrium with K = 4, so equal amounts of acid and alcohol give about 67% yield, and excess alcohol raises it. Petroleum: a fractionating column shows each fraction's boiling range, share and uses.
How to use
Use the Fertilizers, Esterification and Petroleum tabs to move between topics. For fertilizers, choose a Fertilizer type and drag the dose up from zero, noting where extra fertilizer stops raising the yield. For esterification, change the alcohol/acid mole ratio or press Use excess alcohol (ratio 3) and compare the yield with the 1:1 case. For petroleum, press Next fraction or click the tower to read each fraction's boiling range and uses.
Parameters you can change
- Current topic 1. Fertilizers and crop yield, 2. Organic chemistry practical: esterification, 3. Crude oil and petroleum refining
- Fertilizer type Urea (NH₂)₂CO – 46% N, Single superphosphate – 17% P₂O₅, Potassium chloride KCl – 60% K₂O, NPK 16-16-8
- Fertilizer applied per hectare 0–600 kg/ha
- Alcohol/acid mole ratio in the esterification reaction 0.5–5
- Petroleum fraction shown Liquefied gas (below 40 °C), Gasoline (40–180 °C), Kerosene (180–260 °C), Diesel (260–350 °C), Fuel oil residue (above 350 °C)
Questions to explore
- Why does doubling the amount of fertilizer not double the crop yield?
- With a 1:1 mole ratio and K = 4, what is the ester yield, and how does excess alcohol change it?
- Which petroleum fraction is used as fuel for diesel engines, and what is its boiling range?
