Final answer:
Atmospheric nitrogen reacts with hydrogen in the Haber-Bosch process to produce ammonia, which is a significant component in fertilizers that provide necessary nitrogen to plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nitrogen from the air can react with hydrogen to make ammonia for fertilizer. This reaction occurs through the Haber-Bosch process, which is an industrial method for producing ammonia by combining atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) with hydrogen (H₂) under high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst. The equation for this chemical reaction is represented as N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃. Ammonia (NH₃) serves as a crucial fertilizer due to its nitrogen content, which is vital for plant growth.
Large volumes of atmospheric nitrogen are necessary for making ammonia, which is the principal starting material for various nitrogen fertilizers like anhydrous ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and urea (CO(NH₂)₂). Human activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels and use of artificial fertilizers, release nitrogen into the environment, which can lead to consequences like acid rain and eutrophication. However, the industrial fixation of nitrogen to produce ammonia is a pivotal process for modern agriculture.