Question

Assertion (A): Sulphuric acid is used in the manufacture of fertilisers.

Reason (R): It provides sulphate ions which are essential nutrients for plant growth.

Options

• If both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

• If both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

• If A is true, but R is false.

• If both A and R are false.

Answer 1

If both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:

The assertion is true because sulphuric acid is extensively used to manufacture essential fertilisers like ammonium sulphate and superphosphates. The reason is also true because plants absorb sulphur primarily in the form of sulphate \[\ce{(SO^{2-}_4)}\] ions to aid healthy development. However, this is not the correct explanation because the main industrial reason sulphuric acid is used is its ability to break down insoluble phosphate rock into soluble phosphoric acid, rather than simply supplying nutrients.