Chapter 15

Chemistry in Society

1. Chemistry in Modern Agriculture

2. Cement Production
3. Plaster of Paris
4. Salt Production
5. Plastics and Polymers
Elements required by plants
All plants required at least 22 elements for their growth.
10 elements (C, H, O, N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg and Fe) are required in significant quantities.
Sources of Plant Nutrients
Three sources (air, water and soil). C and O from air, H and O from water and other elements
from soil.
Plants get CO2 from air and water from soil.
6 CO2 (g) + 6 H2O sunlight, green plants 6C6H12O6 (s) + 6O2 + energy
By photosynthesis CO2 and H2O combine to form sugar which is further converted to other food
forms and stored in the plants.Sugar is a compound of C, H and O.
Soil
The source of plant nutrients. It supplies water and other elements to the plants.
Fertilizer
Substances that supply nutrients to plants. There are two types of fertilizers: natural and chemical
fertilizers.
(a) Natural Fertilizers
Two types of natural fertilizers are manure and humus.
Manure is obtained by the decomposition of animal dung and urine. Humus comes from plant
residue.
(b) Chemical Fertilizers
Salts and other chemical compounds containing elements necessary for plant growth.
According to the elements contained in them the chemical fertilizers are divided into three
groups: (1) Nitrogen fertilizer (2) phosphorus fertilizer (3) potassium fertilizer
Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK)
NPK are the most important elements by plants.
These are essential for the growth of plants.
Leaf crops (cabbage) require abundant nitrogen.

Seed bearing (peas, beans, and tomatoes) require a good amount of phosphorus and potassium.
Root crops require a good amount of potassium.
Flowering needs fair amount of phosphorus and potassium.
Fruiting and seed formation require higher potassium.
Nitrogen Fertilizers
Urea, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, and calcium nitrate
Urea [CO(NH2) 2]
Percentage of nitrogen in urea is 46%. Urea increases the acidity of the soil. Urea fertilizer is
white pellets.
CO2 (g) + 2NH3 (g) CO(NH2) 2 (s) + H2O

NH3 is obtained by Haber process and CO2 from the combustion of petroleum products (natural
gas)

Ammonium sulphate [(NH4) 2SO4]

It contains 21% nitrogen. It has an acid reaction and increases the acidity of the soil.

Ammonium nitrate [NH4NO3]

It contains 34.35% nitrogen.

Calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3) 2]

It contains 13 to 16% nitrogen.

Phosphate Fertilizers
(i) Super phosphate [Ca(H2PO4) 2.2CaSO4]
It is white or grey powder or granule.
18% super phosphate contain 18% P2O5 solution in water.
45% super phosphate contain 45% P2O5 solution in water.
(ii) Bone meal
It is not a chemical fertilizer and prepared by crushing defatted bones. 3% nitrogen and 22%
phosphorus acid.

Potassium Fertilizers

Potassium chloride (KCl) and Potassium sulphate (K2SO4)

Soil Reaction

The plant do not grow well on the soil of high acidity or high alkalinity.
It is tested by blue and red litmus paper.
Lime is added to neutralize the soil acids (Limestone (CaCO3), quicklime CaO, slaked lime
(Ca(OH) 2
Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O is added to neutralize soil alkali.

Insecticides

Chemical that kills insects.

BHC[benzene hexachloride, C6H6Cl6, Gammaxene] is used for spraying or dusting of plants.
Endrin is toxic to mammals and plant spray. Aldrin and dieldrin are used as soil fumigant.
Growth Substances

Indoleacetic acid (IAA) is responsible for many different growth regulatory activities.
IAA can activate the growth of leaves, stems, roots flowers fruits and seeds.
2. Cement Production

Cement

It is used as binder in construction works. It is mixed with sand water and quick lime CaCO3.
Raw materials
Haematite (Fe2O3), Lime stone (CaCO3), clay (SiO2 and Al2O3)
These are ground and heated in special furnace called Rotary kiln.
Manufacturing process
Four stages (mixing, heating, cooling, and grinding)
3. Plaster of Paris (POP)

It is hydrated calcium sulphate (2CaSO4.H2O) and obtained by heating gypsum

(CaSO4.2H2O) to about 125oC.

2CaSO4.2H2O (s)  ,125C 2CaSO4.H2O(s) + 2H2O

Gypsum POP

4. Salt Production

Sea water contains about 3.5% by weight of salt. Out of which 2.7% is common salt NaCl.
Pure NaCl is not a deliquescent.
Common salt becomes damp when it is exposed to air. The dampness is due to the presence of
MgCl2.
MgCl2 is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
Undissoved substance in sea water (i) suspension (ii) Al2O3 (iii) CaCO3 (iv) CaSO4
Dissolved substances in sea water (i)NaCl(ii)KCl (iii) MgSO4 (iv)MgCl2(v)MgBr2
increasing solubility

Traditional Method

Common salt obtained by this method is not pure because it contains MgSO4, MgCl2 and small
amount of CaSO4.
Solar Evaporation Method
The first pond settles down the suspensions.
The second pond settles down Al2O3. The third pond settles down CaO3.
In the fourth pond crystallization of dissolved substances take place. In this pond CaSO4 which is
less soluble than NaCl, KCl, and MgSO4 crystallize.
In fifth pond NaCl crystallize.
After this is complete the water in which KCl, MgSO4, MgCl2 and MgBr2 are still dissolved is
allowed to flow out from the pond.
5. Polymers and Plastics

Polymers

Polymers are large organic macromolecules. They are made up of small repeating units called
monomers. These units are repeated any number of times from about a hundred to more than a
million. All living things contain polymers.
e.g. proteins, carbohydrates
Monomers

The small molecular units (small repeating units) that can be used in polymerization reactions to
form a polymer (a high molecular weight material) are called monomers.
Homopolymers

Homopolymers are polymers made up of just one monomer.

e.g. polyethene, polypropene, polyvinyl chloride

Copolymers

Copolymers are polymers made up of two or more different types of monomers.

e.g. Nylon, polyester, biological proteins

e.g. proteins, carbohydrates

natural rubber (e.g. plastics: PE, PP,PVC,PTFE,PS) (e.g. nylon, terylene)

Table 1. Examples of natural and synthetic polymers

Type of Name of polymer Monomer Occurrences/ Uses

polymer
(based on
sources)
Natural Protein Amino acids Wool, silk, muscle
Polymers Starch glucose Potato, wheat, rice
Celloluse glucose Paper, wood
Synthetic Polyethene (or) Ethane(CH2=CH2) Plastic bags, bowls,
polymers Polyethylene (PE) bottles, packaging
Polypropene (or) Propene Crates and boxes,
Polypropylene (CH3-CH=CH2) plastic rope
Polychloroethene (or) Chloroethene Electrical insulation,
Polyvinyl chloride (CH2=CHCl) Pipes and guttering
(PVC)
Polytetrafluoroethene tetrafluoroethene Non-stick frying
(or) (CF2=CF2) pans, non-stick taps
Polytetrafluoroethylene and joints
(PTFE)
Polyphenylethene (or) Phenylethene Insulation,
Polystyrene (PS) (C6H5CH=CH2) packaging (foam),
toys

Polymerization for making synthetic polymers

Polymerization is the process of combination of many small molecules (monomers) to

form large molecules (polymers)

ethene (monomer) polyethene (PE) (polymer)

Two Types of polymerization

Addition polymerization Condensation polymerization

Table 2: Addition and Condensation Polymers

Chemical name Trade name Short form Polymer Type

Addition polymers
(i) Polyethene Polyethylene or PE Homopolymer
Polythene
(ii) Polypropene Polypropylene PP Homopolymer
(iii) Polychloroethene Polyvinylchloride PVC Homopolymer
(iv)Polytetrafluoroethene Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE Homopolymer
Teflon
(v)Polyphenyl ethane Polystyrene PS Homopolymer
Condensation Polymerization
(i) Polyamide Nylon - Copolymer
(ii) Polyester Terylene - Copolymer
Thermoplastic polymers (Thermoplastics)

Most of the plastics can be softened on heating and melted. They set again when cooled.
Since such plastic can be re-moulded, they are useful. These polymers are known as
thermoplastic polymers (or) thermo-softening polymers.
e.g. polyethene, polyphenylethene, polychloroethene
Thermosetting polymers

More restricted group of polymers can be heated and moulded only once. Such polymers
are known as thermosetting polymers (or) thermosets. The chains in these polymers are cross-
linked to each other. These cross-links in the plastics are permanent chemical bonds. They make
the structures rigid, when moulded and no softening takes place on heating.
e.g. melamine
Re-use, Recycling and Disposal of plastic waste

(1) Most plastics are not biodegradable- there are no natural microorganisms that can break
down them. Biodegradable or photodegradable plastics can be produced by current
research. (e.g. Polyethanol plastic is soluble in hot water.
(2) Pyrolysis (incineration) can be used to burn plastic waste. However, care must be taken
not to release toxic fumes into the air.
(3) Methods for recycling plastic

For thermoplastic polymers For thermosetting polymers

1. Heat at low temperature 1. Heat at high temperature(700C) in the
absence of air
2. Obtain molten or softened polymer 2. Obtain new monomers and other chemicals
3. Remould into new thermoplastic product(s) 3. Re-polymerize into new product(s)
Soap and Saponification

Soap is sodium salt of fatty acids possessing cleaning property. Soap is manufactured by
heating natural fats or oils (triglycerides) of either plants or animals with aqueous solution of
sodium hydroxide. The esters (triglycerides) are broken down in the presence of water-
hydrolysed. This type of reaction is called “saponification”.

Glycerol stearate + sodium hydroxide sodium stearate(soap) + glycerol

Cleaning property of soap or detergent

1. The cleaning properties of soap or detergent depend on its structure and bonding.
2. Soap (sodium stearate) consists of a long-hydrocarbon chain which is hydrophobic (water
hating) attached to an ionic head which is hydrophilic (water loving).
Soap = C17H35COO-Na+
3. When a soap is put into water containing greasy dish (or a greasy cloth) in it, the hydrophobic
hydrocarbon chain on each soap molecules becomes attached to the grease and becomes
embedded in it.
4. The hydrophilic ionic head group is not attached to the grease but is strongly attached to the
water molecules.
5. When the water is stirred, the grease is slowly released and is completely surrounded by the
soap molecules.
6. The grease is solubilized and removed from the dish.
7. The soap is able to remove the grease because of the combination of the covalent and ionic
bonds present.
Soapless Detergents

Soapless Detergent is sodium salt of alkyl benzene sulphonic acid. It is made from crude oil,
sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide.
The structure of sodium 3-dodecylbenzene sulphate, C18H29SO3Na (soapless detergent) is-

Soaps give scum with hard water as the calcium and magnesium salts are insoluble in water.
Soapless detergents do not give scum with hard water as the calcium and magnesium salts of
this detergent are water soluble. The soapless detergent molecules are designed and so they are
biodegradable. Bacteria readily break down these new molecules so that they do not persist in
the environment.

What is the long form of the following substances?

(i) NPK (ii) BHC (iii) NAA (iv) IAA (v) POP

(vi) PE (vii) PP (viii) PVC (ix) PTFE (x) PS

Answer:NPK = Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium

BHC = Benzenehexachloride
NAA = Naphthalene acetic acid
IAA = Indole acetic acid
POP = Plaster of Paris
PE = polyethylene
PP = polypropylene
PVC = polyvinyl chloride
PTFE = polytetrafluoroethylene
PS = polystyrene
(a) How do you understand the term "polyesters"?
(b) Answer: Polyesters are copolymers formed by the condensation of diols and
dicarboxylic acids.

diol Dicarboxylic acid

polyester
Ester link

(c) State any two properties of addition polymers.

Answer: (i) Addition polymers are long chain molecules made by joining together a
large number of monomer molecules.
(ii) Addition polymerization involves monomer molecules containing a carbon-
carbon double bond.
 (c) Describe the homopolymers with examples.
Answer: Homopolymers are polymers, containing just one monomer. e.g.
Poly(ethene), poly(propene) and poly(chloroethene)
(d) How do you understand the term : “polymers”?
Answer: Polymers are large organic macromolecules. They are made up of small
repeating units called monomers. These units are repeated any number of times from
about a hundred to more than a million. All living things contain polymers. e.g.
Proteins, carbohydrates, wood, natural rubber
(e) (i) Give the formula of poly (tetrafluoroethene) and suggest the name of the monomer.
Give equation.

Answer: formula of poly (tetrafluoroethene)-

Name of monomer - tetrafluoroethene

Tetrafluoroethene poly (tetrafluoroethene)

(f) Give the monomer structure and uses of PS. (4M)

Structural formula of PS uses

Insulation, packaging(foam), toys

(g) what is soap? Give one chemical name and formula of soap. ({&m0wD)
Answer: Soap is sodium salt of fatty acids possessing cleaning property. Soap is

manufactured by heating natural fats or oils (triglycerides) of either plants or

animals with aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.

e.g. sodium stearate, C17H35COONa

(h) Predict the long form of “ PE” and mention its uses.
Answer: the long form of PE = polypropylene
 Uses - plastics bags, bowls, bottles, packaging
(i) What type of polymerization would chloroethene CH2=CHCl undergo?
Give equation.
Answer: Addition polymerization

chloroethene Polyvinyl chloride

(j) Explain the term : "soapless detergent".(&efukef11)

Soapless Detergent is sodium salt of alkyl benzene sulphonic acid. It is made from crude oil,
sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide.

The structure of sodium 3-dodecylbenzene sulphate, C18H29SO3Na (soapless detergent) is-

Exercises
1. Define the following terms
(i) Polymers (ii) Monomers (iii) Homopolymers (iv) Copolymers
(i) Polymers

Polymers are large organic macromolecules. They are made up of small

repeating units called monomers. These units are repeated any number of times from about a
hundred to more than a million. All living things contain polymers. e.g. Proteins, carbohydrates,
wood, natural rubber

(ii) Monomers

The small molecular units (small repeating units) that can be used in polymerization
reaction to form a polymer (a high molecular weight material) are known as monomers.

(iii) Homopolymers

Homopolymers are polymers, containing just one monomer. e.g. Poly(ethene),

poly(propene) and poly(chloroethene)
 (iv) Copolymers

Copolymers are polymers made up of two or more different types of monomers. For
example, nylon, polyester and biological proteins

2. Classify the following polymers as homopolymers and copolymers.

(i) Polystyrene (ii) polyethene (iii) nylon (iv) Teflon (v) terylene

(vi) polypropene (vii) polyvinyl chloride

Homopolymers Copolymers
Polystyrene (iii) nylon
(ii) polyethene (v) terylene
(iv) Teflon
(vi) polypropene
(vii) polyvinyl chloride

3. Explain the term “polymerization” together with a suitable example.

Answer: Polymerization is the process of combination of many small molecules
(monomers) to form large molecules (polymers).

ethene polyethene
(monomer) (polymer)
4. Draw the structural formula of the following compounds
(i) Chloroethene (vinyl chloride)
(ii) Tetrafluoroethene
Suggest the name of polymer formed from each compound and write down the
equations.
Answer: (i) Chloroethene (vinyl chloride)

Name of polymer - Polyvinyl chloride

vinyl chloride Polyvinyl chloride

(ii) Tetrafluoroethene
 Name of polymer - Polytetrafluoroethene

Tetrafluoroethene Polytetrafluoroethene
5. What type of polymerization would CH3CH=CH2 undergo? Write down the equation.
Answer: Addition polymerization

propene polypropene
6. What type of polymerization would phenyl ethylene undergoes? Write down the
equation.
Answer: Addition polymerization

Phenyl ethane (styrene) polyphenylethene

7. What monomer will polymerize to produce PVC? Write down the equation.

Answer: Chloroethene (vinyl chloride)

vinyl chloride polyvinylchloride

8. What monomer will polymerize to produce “Teflon”? Write down the equation.

Answer: Tetrafluoroethene

Tetrafluoroethene Polytetrafluoroethene

9. What monomer will polymerize to produce “polystyrene”? Write down the equation.
Answer: styrene (phenyl ethane)

styrene polystyrene
10. Draw the structural formula (graphic structure) of propylene. Suggest the name of
polymer formed from it and write the chemical equation.

Name of polymer - Polypropene

Propene polypropene

11. What are the properties of addition polymers?

Ans: (i) Addition polymers are long chain molecules made by joining together a large
number of monomer molecules.
(ii) Addition polymerization involves monomer molecules containing a carbon-
carbon double bond
(iii) Addition polymers are homopolymers, made from a single monomer.
(iv) During addition the double bonds open up and the molecules join to
themselves to make a molecule with a very long chain.
12. What type of polymerization would a diol and a dicarboxilic acid undergo? Write down
the equation.
(i) (ii)

First monomer second monomer

(a diol) (a dicarboxylic acid)

An ester link Terylene(polyester)

13. What type of polymerization would the following compounds undergo? Write down the
equation.
(i) (ii)

Answer: Condensation polymerization

First monomer second monomer

(a diamine) (a dicarboxylic acid)

An amide (peptide) link Nylon(polyamide)

 14. Name the monomers and linkage present in (i) Nylon (ii) Terylene

monomers linkage
1. Nylon Diamine and dicarboxylic acid Amide(peptide) link
2. Terylene Diol and dicarboxylic acid An ester link

15. Explain the following terms.

(i) Thermoplastic polymers (ii) Thermosetting polymers

Thermoplastic polymers

Most of the plastics can be softened on heating and melted. They set again when cooled.
Since such plastic can be re-moulded, they are useful. These polymers are known as
thermoplastic polymers (or) thermo-softening polymers.

e.g. polyethene

(ii) Thermosetting polymers

More restricted group of polymers can be heated and moulded only once. Such
polymers are known as thermosetting polymers (or) thermosets. The chains in
these polymers are cross-linked to each other. These cross-links in the plastics are
permanent chemical bonds. They make the structures rigid, when moulded and no
softening takes place on heating.
e.g. melamine

19. What are the methods for recyclic plastic wastes of thermoplastics?

(i) heat at low temperature

(ii) obtain molten or softened polymer

(iii) remould into new thermoplastic product

20. What are the methods for recyclic plastic wastes of thermosets?

(i) heat at high temperature (C) in the absence of air.

(ii) obtain new monomers and other chemicals
(iii) re-polymerize into new products

21. What is soap? Give a suitable example.

Ans: Soap is sodium salt of fatty acids possessing cleaning property. Soap is manufactured by
heating natural fats or oils (triglycerides) of either plants or animals with aqueous solution of
sodium hydroxide.

e.g. sodium stearate, C17H35COONa

22. Explain the term “saponification”.

Soap is sodium salt of fatty acids possessing cleaning properties. Soap is manufactured by
heating natural fats or oils (triglycerides) of either plants animals with aqueous solution of
sodium hydroxide. The esters (triglyceride) are broken down in the presence of water-
hydrolysed. This type of reaction is called saponification.

23. Write the structure of soap and soapless detergent.

Soap - C17H35COONa (sodium stearate)

Soapless detergent - C18H29SO3Na (sodium 3-dodecylbenzene sulphate)

24. Explain the cleaning properties of soap (or) detergent.

Ans: The cleaning properties of soap or detergent depend on its structure and bonding. Soap
(sodium stearate) consists of a long hydrocarbon chain which is hydrophobic (water hating)
attached to an ionic head which is hydrophilic (water loving). The cleaning property of soap is
due to the combination of covalent bond and ionic bond present.