THE HABER PROCESS
1) EQUILIBRIA RECAP
What is happening when
a reaction is in a state of Both the forward and reverse reaction are taking place simultaneously and at
dynamic equilibrium the same rate (i.e. A is reacting to make B, and B is reacting to make A)
A⇌B
How does the energy
The energy change for the reverse reaction is the same size but of the
change for the reverse
opposite sign to the forwards reaction. One direction is exothermic and the
reaction compare to that
other direction is endothermic
for the forwards reaction?
What is Le Châtelier’s If the conditions of a reaction at equilibrium are changed, the position of the
principle? equilibrium moves to oppose that change
How and why does increasing the temperature affect the equilibrium yield of R?
Example
Lower yield of R
P(g) + Q(g) ⇌ R(g) Equilibrium position moves left in endothermic direction to oppose the
(forward reaction is exothermic) increase in temperature
How and why does increasing the pressure affect the equilibrium yield of R?
Higher yield of R
Equilibrium position moves right to side with fewer gas molecules to oppose
the increase in pressure
How and why does increasing the amount of P affect the equilibrium yield of R?
Higher yield of R
Equilibrium position moves right to use up P to oppose the increase in
amount of P
2) AMMONIA (NH3)
to make fertilisers
Uses of ammonia to make explosives
as a cleaning agent in aqueous solution
Structure type Molecular Bonding Covalent
Structure and bonding Stick diagram Dot-cross diagram
© www.CHEMSHEETS.co.uk 21-December-2017 Chemsheets GCSE 1276
3) MAKING AMMONIA (THE HABER PROCESS)
Unreacted N2 and H2
recycled
Nitrogen
AIR
N2
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)
Temperature = 450C Ammonia
Pressure = 200 atm NH3
Mixture cooled
Catalyst = Fe until NH3
condenses –
which is
separated off
as a liquid
Methane + Hydrogen
steam H2
Effect on equilibrium yield Effect on rate Effect on cost
Higher T gives lower yield
Higher T gives faster rate
as forward reaction is
Temperature as particles move faster and Higher T has higher
exothermic and so equilibrium
have more energy and so energy cost
450C position moves left at higher
successful collisions are more
temperature to oppose higher
frequent
temperature
Higher P gives higher yield
as fewer gas molecules on right Higher P gives faster rate Higher P has higher
Pressure of equation and so equilibrium as particles are closer together energy cost and
200 atm position moves right at higher and so successful collisions much higher
pressure to oppose higher are more frequent apparatus costs
pressure
Use of catalyst gives faster rate Catalyst has cost
Catalyst No effect on yield but relatively cheap
Catalyst lowers activation yet has big impact
Fe
energy on rate
© www.CHEMSHEETS.co.uk 21-December-2017 Chemsheets GCSE 1276
