Question

The Haber-Bosch process is used to make much of the world's fertilizer. It works on the equilibrium between dihydrogen, dinitrogen and ammonia via the following equation:

N2(g)+3H2(g) <——>2NH3(g)


What needs to be done in order to push the reaction to the right?

A. Remove ammonia
B. Remove hydrogen
C. Remove nitrogen
D. Add ammonia

Answer 1

A. Remove ammonia

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello,

In this case, for the given equilibrium reaction, it is possible to favor the direct reaction (rightwards) or the inverse reaction (leftwards) by applying the Le'Chatelier's principle which among others, states that in terms of addition or removal of a species, equilibrium could be shifted.

Thus, for this reaction, it is required to shift the reaction rightwards, for that reason, in terms of addition or removal of the involved species in the reaction we say that:

- Adding either nitrogen or hydrogen will shift the reaction rightwards as more ammonia is formed to reach equilibrium.

- Removing ammonia will shift the reaction rightwards as more hydrogen and nitrogen will produce more ammonia to attain equilibrium again.

For that reason, the feasible answer is: A. Remove ammonia

Best regards.