The Haber Process

What does the Haber Process produce?

Ammonia (NH3)

Write a balanced symbol equation for the Haber Process

N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) ⇌ 2NH₃(g)

Write a word equation for the Haber process

Nitrogen + Hydrogen ⇌ ammonia

What raw materials produce ammonia (NH3)

• Nitrogen from the air

• Hydrogen from natural gas

What happens to nitrogen and hydrogen in the Haber Process

Nitrogen and hydrogen are passed over an iron catalyst which increases the rate of reaction

What temperature is the Haber Process carried out at

450°C

What pressure is the Haber process carried out at

200 atmospheres

What sort of yield does the Haber process produce

A reasonable yield of ammonia

As the Haber Process is reversible which way is exothermic and which way is endothermic

• The forward reaction is exothermic

• The backward reaction is endothermic

Why is it easy to separate ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen

When the ammonia cools down it condenses and becomes a liquid whereas nitrogen and hydrogen continue as gases

What happens to the remaining nitrogen and hydrogen

It is recycled

Why is the unreacted hydrogen and nitrogen recycled

It saves money and increases the effective (overall yield)

What ions does ammonium hydroxide contain

• Ammonium ions NH4+

• Hydroxide ions OH-