The key difference between ammonium sulfate and urea is that ammonium sulfate is a superior fertilizer when applied prior to permanent floods, whereas urea is a superior fertilizer when applied after permanent floods.
Ammonium sulfate and urea are two important fertilizer types. Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula ((NH4)2SO4, while urea is an organic compound having the chemical formula CO(NH2)2.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ammonium Sulfate
3. What is Urea
4. Ammonium Sulfate vs Urea in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Ammonium Sulfate vs Urea
What is Ammonium Sulfate?
Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula (NH4)2SO4. This compound contains an ammonium cation linked to a sulfate anion. According to covalency, this compound has two ammonium cations per sulphate anion. Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic salt of sulfate with many important uses.
The molar mass of this compound is 132.14 g/mol. Ammonium sulfate appears as fine, hygroscopic granules or crystals. Moreover, the melting point of this compound can range from 235 to 280 °C; above this temperature range, the compound tends to decompose. The production of ammonium sulfate compound is achieved by treating ammonia with sulfuric acid. In this preparation, we can use a mixture of ammonia gas and water vapour in a reactor. In addition, we need to add concentrated sulfuric acid into this reactor, and then the reaction between these components will form ammonium sulfate.
When considering the applications of ammonium sulfate, we can use it as a fertilizer, mainly for alkaline soils. Furthermore, we can use it in the production of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc. In addition to these, we use this compound for the purification of protein via precipitation in the biochemistry laboratory. It is also useful as a food additive.
What is Urea?
Urea is an organic compound having the chemical formula CO(NH2)2. This compound is usually known as carbamide. Urea is a type of amide consisting of two amino groups attached to a central carbonyl carbon atom. A urea molecule is a planar molecule where solid urea contains the oxygen center engaged in two N-H-O hydrogen bonds. The carbon atom in the urea molecule has sp2 hybridization. Further, the C-N bonds of the molecule have a significant double bond character. However, the oxygen atom in the carbonyl group has basicity when compared to formaldehyde. Furthermore, this compound has a high water solubility, which reflects its ability to take part in hydrogen bonding with water molecules.
Typically, urea substances tend to play an important role during the metabolism of nitrogen-consisting compounds in animals, and this compound is the major nitrogen-containing substance in urine passed by animals. It is a colorless, odorless solid substance and has a high-water solubility. Further, it is a non-toxic compound, and when it is dissolved in water, the aqueous solution of urea is neither acidic nor alkaline.
When considering the other uses of urea, it is useful in agriculture and is a component in nitrogen-releasing fertilizers. This is because urea has a high nitrogen content, and it has a low transportation cost per unit of nitrogen nutrients. Moreover, urea is important as a raw material for the production of urea-formaldehyde resins and urea-melamine-formaldehyde materials.
What is the Difference Between Ammonium Sulfate and Urea?
Ammonium sulfate and urea are two important fertilizer types. The key difference between ammonium sulfate and urea is that ammonium sulfate is a superior fertilizer when applied prior to a permanent flood, whereas urea is a superior fertilizer when applied after a permanent flood.
The below infographic presents the differences between ammonium sulfate and urea in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Ammonium Sulfate vs Urea
Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula (NH4)2SO4. Urea is an organic compound having the chemical formula CO(NH2)2. The key difference between ammonium sulfate and urea is that ammonium sulfate is a superior fertilizer when applied prior to a permanent flood, whereas urea is a superior fertilizer when applied after a permanent flood.
Reference:
1. “Fertilizer Urea.” Extension at the University of Minnesota.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Fertilizer” By Oregon State University (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Applying urea” By Malcolm Manners (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr