Answer 2.2

Chemical Equilibria|Le Chatelier's Principle|Factors Affecting Chemical equilibria| The Haber Process|The Contact Process|Equilibrium Constants

Explain why a compromise temperature is used in the Haber process.

Answer:

This is because the enthalpy of the reaction is exothermic implying that a low temperature will favour the formation of more ammonia. However a low temperature also implies that the rate of the reaction is quite slow. Thus a temperature which is high enough for rate of formation of ammonia to be fast and for the yield to be high enough, has to be used. Thus the compromise temperature.