the haber process

• the haber process is used to make ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen
• nitrogen and hydrogen to ammonia is a reversible reaction
• the reactant gases are passed over a iron catalyst at a high temperature and pressure
• nitrogen is obtained easily from the air
• hydrogen comes from reacting methane and steam
• the forward reaction in the haber process is exothermic. this means increasing the temperature will move the equilibrium away from the products so the yield is greater at a lower temperature
• lower temperature means slower rate of reaction but greater yield of product so the temperature has to be a compromise between the 2