Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level · Nitrogen and sulfur

Nitrogen and sulfur — practice question

Ammonium sulfate, $(\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4$, is commonly used as a fertiliser. To find its percentage purity, a fertiliser sample of ammonium sulfate was tested by reacting a known quantity with excess of $\text{NaOH(aq)}$ and then titrating the leftover $\text{NaOH}$ with dilute $\text{HCl}$.
(a)[2]

Ammonium sulfate reacts with $\text{NaOH}$ in a $1\!:\!2$ ratio. Finish and balance the equation for this reaction: $(\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4 + 2\text{NaOH} \rightarrow \ldots\text{NH}_3 + \ldots + \ldots$

(b(i))[1]

Write a balanced equation for the reaction of $\text{NaOH}$ with $\text{HCl}$.

(b(ii))[1]

Calculate the amount, in moles, of $\text{HCl}$ present in $31.2\,\text{cm}^3$ of $1.00\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ $\text{HCl}$.

(b(iii))[1]

Calculate the amount, in moles, of $\text{NaOH}$ contained in $50.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of $2.00\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ $\text{NaOH}$.

(b(iv))[1]

Use your answers to (i), (ii) and (iii) to calculate the amount, in moles, of $\text{NaOH}$ consumed in the reaction with $(\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4$.

(b)

A $5.00\,\text{g}$ sample of fertiliser containing $(\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4$ was heated with $50.0\,\text{cm}^3$ (an excess) of $2.00\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}\;\text{NaOH}$. After all the ammonia had been expelled, the mixture was cooled. The leftover $\text{NaOH}$ was then titrated with $1.00\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}\;\text{HCl}$ and $31.2\,\text{cm}^3$ were needed for neutralisation.

(b(v))

Use your answer to (iv) and the equation in (a) to calculate the amount, in moles, of $(\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4$ that reacted with $\text{NaOH}$.

(b(vi))

Use your answer to (v) to calculate the mass of $(\text{NH}_4)_2\text{SO}_4$ that reacted with $\text{NaOH}$.

(b(vii))[7]

Hence, calculate the percentage purity of the ammonium sulfate fertiliser.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 13-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Correct products shown for the reaction $(NH_4)_2SO_4 + 2NaOH \to 2NH_3 + Na_2SO_4 + 2H_2O$

  • Full mark scheme, point by point
  • Step-by-step worked solution
  • Write your answer & get it marked instantly by AI