Yield and Temperature

Monitoring and Management‎ > ‎2. Maximising Production‎ > ‎

Explain why the yield of product in the Haber process is reduced at higher temperatures using Le Chatelier’s principle 

  • Because the synthesis of ammonia is exothermic, the reverse reaction is endothermic.
  • An increase in temperature causes the equilibrium to shift in the reverse direction, as this opposes the change by absorbing heat and lowering the temperature, according to Le Chatelier’s principle.
  • Thus, higher temperatures result in a reduced yield of ammonia in the Haber process.