One of the greatest advances in agriculture has been the manufacture of nitrogen

Question

One of the greatest advances in agriculture has been the manufacture of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, especially ammonia and ammonium compounds. This industry is based on the Haber-Bosch Process as shown by the exothermic reaction below. N_2(g) + H_2(g) doubleheadarrow NH_3(g) Using lessthanorequalto Chateliers Principle, predict and explain any equilibrium shift in this reaction when the following occur: i. The temperature is raised ii. The pressure is increased iii. Ammonia gas is added to the system iv Nitrogen gas is removed from the system

Explanation / Answer

The reaction is N2+3H2<---> 2NH3 is exothermic reaction. That is heat is liberated during the course of reaction,

when temperature is increased, the reaction shifts in a direction where there is a decrease in temperature as per Lechatlier principle ( The principle states that when ever the reaction is subjected to constraint, the reaction shifts in a direction so as to nullify the effect of constraint.

So endothermic direction is preferred.

2. An increase in pressure as per gas law, PV= nRT, P is proportional to no of moles at constant temperature, the pressure increase increases the no of moles. So the reaction proceeds to compensate the effect of increase in pressure. So the reactino proceeds in a direction of decrease in no of moles. More ammonia is formed.

3. K= equilibrium constant = [NH3]2/ [N2] [H2]3

so when ammonia is added, it increases the numerator, to keep the equilibrium constant at the same value, more of N2 and H2 have fo form.So the reverse reaction takes place.

4. When nitrogen is added, KC decreases. So to keep KC at the same value, NH3 will have to increase. So more NH3 will have to form. So forward reaction is favored.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse O
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.