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Analyse the impact of increased pressure on the system involved in the Haber process
- In the Haber process, four moles of reactant gases produce two moles of ammonia gas.
- Thus, as the reaction progresses forward, the pressure of the system decreases.
- An increase in pressure causes the equilibrium to shift in the forward direction, as this opposes the change by reducing the pressure, according to Le Chatelier’s principle.
- Thus, higher pressures result in an increased yield of ammonia in the Haber process.
- Typical pressures used in the Haber process range from 15 to 35 MPa (15 000 to 35 000 kPa).