Haber process

Definition

The Haber process is an industrial method for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases using a metal catalyst under high pressure and temperature. This ammonia is crucial for fertilizers and other chemical products.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Haber process combines nitrogen ($N_2$) from the air with hydrogen ($H_2$) derived from natural gas.
2. A typical catalyst used in the Haber process is iron, often with promoters like potassium and aluminum oxides to increase its efficiency.
3. Operating conditions typically involve pressures around 200 atmospheres and temperatures between 400-500°C.
4. Ammonia production via the Haber process has a significant impact on agricultural productivity by providing essential nutrients in fertilizers.
5. Fritz Haber won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1918 for his development of this method.

Review Questions

• What are the primary reactants in the Haber process?
• Why is a catalyst necessary for the Haber process, and which one is commonly used?
• How does the ammonia produced by the Haber process impact agriculture?

Related terms

Ammonia:

A compound of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3), commonly used as a fertilizer.

Catalyst:

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

$Le Châtelier's Principle$: $Le Ch\'atelier's Principle$ states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing conditions, the position of equilibrium moves to counteract the change.