# A chemical company produces ammonia using the Haber process. The company sells some of the ammonia directly to farmers as a fertiliser, and converts the rest into other useful chemicals. Explain why the chemical industry is considered important to the economy and society, and describe two key features that distinguish a bulk chemical from a fine chemical.

> OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433) — CI The chemical industry · Explain · 5 marks

> The chemical industry is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the world. It produces a wide range of substances, from large-scale commodities to small quantities of specialised products. Companies must balance profit with responsible production.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The chemical industry is important because it creates jobs / contributes to the economy / generates wealth for the country
2. The chemical industry is important because it produces substances essential to everyday life / health / agriculture / manufacturing
3. A bulk chemical is produced in large quantities (thousands or millions of tonnes per year)
4. A fine chemical is produced in small quantities
5. Fine chemicals are more expensive (per kilogram) than bulk chemicals / fine chemicals are highly pure or specialised substances such as pharmaceuticals or fragrances

## Key terms

- [bulk chemical](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/bulk-chemical)
- [fine chemical](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fine-chemical)
- [chemical industry](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chemical-industry)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-chemical-company-produces-ammonia-using-a6129066) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.