(a) State the major elements contained in each of specimens A, B and C.
(b) Give three uses of specimens A and B.
(c) Explain three ways in which specimen C is important in agriculture.
(d) Describe three physical differences between specimens B and C.
Explanation
(a) Maior element contained in specimens A, B, C
- Specimen A - Potassium
- Specimen B - Carbon
- Specimen C - Calcium
b) Uses of specimens A and B
Specimen A;
- It can be used as fertilizer
- It is a component of some fertilizer types
- Used in correcting soil acidity
- Used in controlling pests
- Important in the manufacture of soap
- Its leachates are Used in dye making
- Used as Scouring powder
- Sometimes added to compost manure when preparing it.
Specimen B;
- May be used in driving heat engines
- A source of heat for roasting/drying farm produce
- For warming brooder and piglet houses
- For boiling of water for processing of produce e.g palm oil production
- For purification of some compounds e.g. sugar
- Used as a toxin-binder/remover in feeds
- For goldsmithing and blacksmithing
- Soil sterilization when used to provide steam
(c) Ways in which specimen C is important in agriculture
- Used .in decreasing soil acidity:
- Used in decreasing fishpond water acidity
- Increases availability of soil nutrients when added
- It is a component of animal feed
- For controlling leeches in fish ponds:
- For controlling liver fluke by preventing hatching of water snail
- Reduces turbidity in fish ponds
- Increases activitíes of soil organism
- Improves soil structure.
(d) Description of physical differences between Specimen B and C;
- Specimen B is black in colour while specimen C is creamy/white! light grey in colour
- Specimen C has distinct crystals and layers while specimen B does not have.
- Specimen B is amorphous while specimen C is crystalline
- Specimen C is harder than specimen B
- Specimen C is heavier than Specimen B