C6.1 Improving processes and products

• What is the main focus of C6 Global Challenges in the context of chemistry?

  Improving processes and products
• What is the purpose of fertilizers in agriculture?

  To provide essential nutrients that plants need for growth
• What is the Haber process used for?

  To produce ammonia
• What are the raw materials used in the Haber process?

  Nitrogen from the air and hydrogen from natural gas
• How is hydrogen manufactured for the Haber process?

  By reacting natural gas with steam
• Why is NPK important for farmers?

  It provides a balanced supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
• What are the reaction conditions needed for the Haber process?

  High temperature and high pressure with a catalyst
• What is the effect of increasing pressure on the yield of ammonia in the Haber process?

  It increases the yield of ammonia
• What happens to the equilibrium yield of ammonia if the temperature is increased in the Haber process?

  The yield of ammonia decreases
• What is the role of a catalyst in the Haber process?

  To speed up the reaction without being consumed
• What is the balanced equation for the combustion of ammonia?

  4NH₃ + 3O₂ → 2N₂ + 6H₂O
• What are the conditions used in the Contact process for sulfuric acid production?

  High temperature, high pressure, and a vanadium(V) oxide catalyst
• How does increasing pressure affect the equilibrium yield of sulfur trioxide in the Contact process?

  It increases the yield of sulfur trioxide
• What is the balanced equation for the Contact process?

  S + O₂ → SO₂; 2SO₂ + O₂ ⇌ 2SO₃
• What are the two methods for making ethanol?

  Fermentation and hydration of ethene
• How is ethanol produced from renewable resources?

  By fermentation of sugars
• How is ethanol produced from non-renewable resources?

  By hydration of ethene derived from crude oil
• What are the advantages of producing ethanol from fermentation?

  It uses renewable resources and has lower carbon emissions
• What is the main disadvantage of using electrolysis for metal extraction?

  It is expensive due to high electricity costs
• What is bioleaching?

  A process that uses bacteria to extract metals from ores
• What is acid mine drainage?

  Water that has been contaminated by mining activities, leading to acidic conditions
• What are the environmental concerns associated with bioleaching?

  It can produce harmful byproducts like sulfuric acid
• What is the role of carbon in the extraction of metals?

  Carbon is used as a reducing agent
• What happens during the electrolysis of aluminum oxide?

  Aluminum is reduced at the cathode and oxygen is produced at the anode
• What are the half-equations for the electrolysis of aluminum oxide?

  At the cathode: Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Al; At the anode: 2O²⁻ → O₂ + 4e⁻
• What is the overall reaction during the electrolysis of aluminum oxide?

  2Al₂O₃ → 4Al + 3O₂
• What is the significance of Charles Hall in aluminum extraction?

  He independently developed the Hall-Héroult process for aluminum extraction
• What are the electrode reactions during the electrolysis of aluminum oxide?

  Reduction of aluminum ions at the cathode and oxidation of oxide ions at the anode
• How does the extraction of metals differ based on their reactivity?

  More reactive metals require electrolysis, while less reactive metals can be extracted using carbon
• What is the purpose of using a vanadium catalyst in the Contact process?

  To increase the rate of reaction for sulfur dioxide oxidation
• What is the balanced equation for the reaction of copper carbonate decomposing?

  2CuCO₃ → 2CuO + CO₂ + O₂
• What is the significance of the electrolysis process in aluminum extraction?

  It allows for the separation of aluminum from its oxide using electrical energy
• How does the extraction method of copper differ from that of aluminum?

  Copper can be extracted using carbon, while aluminum requires electrolysis
• What is the environmental impact of using bioleaching compared to traditional mining methods?

  Bioleaching is generally less harmful to the environment
• What is the main advantage of using renewable resources for ethanol production?

  It reduces reliance on fossil fuels
• How does the temperature affect the equilibrium yield in the Contact process?

  Increasing temperature decreases the yield of sulfur trioxide
• What are the implications of using ammonia as a fuel compared to petrol or diesel?

  Ammonia produces fewer greenhouse gases when combusted
• What is the role of sulfuric acid in the Contact process?

  It is produced as a product and can be used in further reactions
• What is the balanced equation for the reaction of copper oxide with carbon?

  CuO + C → Cu + CO
• What is the significance of the Haber process in agriculture?

  It provides a method to produce ammonia, which is essential for fertilizers