c15 Using our resources Flashcards
What can ammonia be used to make?
fertilisers
, explosives and dyes.
What is the Haber process?
The industrial chemical process that makes ammonia by reacting nitrogen and hydrogen together.
The haber process is a ________ reaction
reversible
What is the formula for the haber process?
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)
How are the raw materials for the production of ammonia collected?
Nitrogen-Naturally present in the atmosphere
Hydrogen-Collected from Natural Gas
What are the steps of the Haber Process?
nitrogen (extracted from the air) and hydrogen (obtained from natural gas) are pumped through pipes the pressure of the mixture of gases is increased to 200 atmospheres
the pressurised gases are heated to 450°C and passed through a tank containing an iron
catalyst the reaction mixture is cooled so that ammonia liquefies and can be removed unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen are recycled
What is the atom economy for the Haber process and why is it like this?
100% atom economy so no waste by-products formed in reaction, no pollution from by-products, no energy required for their disposal
What happens to unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen in the Haber Process?
It gets recycled back into the reaction vessel to react to form Ammonia again
Why is 200 atmospheres used in HP?
When the pressure is higher the equilibrium shifts to the side with the least amount of gases- in this case to the side with ammonia- increasing the yield. However higher pressures are expensive and costly so 200 atms is chosen as a compromise
Why is an Iron catalyst used in HP?
An Iron catalyst speeds up the rate of the forward and reverse reactions equally. This reduces the time taken for the system to reach equilibrium but it does not affect the position of equilibrium or the yield of ammonia.
Using a catalyst in the Haber process means that a lower temperature can be used whilst keeping the rate of reaction high. A lower temperature helps to keep the yield high.
Why is a temperature of 450C chosen for HP?
When the temperature is increased, the position of equilibrium moves in the endothermic direction to reduce the temperature.
In the Haber process, the forwards reaction is
exothermic, so the reverse reaction is endothermic.
This means that as the temperature is increased, the position of equilibrium moves to the left, and the yield of ammonia decreases.
It may seem sensible to use a very low temperature in order to maximise the yield of ammonia but lower temperatures reduce the rate of reaction. The temperature chosen is a compromise between yield and rate.
What causes corrosion of metals?
Corrosion is caused by chemical reactions between the metal and substances in the environment.
Why is rusting a problem for iron?
Rust is soft and flakes off, exposing fresh iron to further corrosion, unlike aluminium’s protective oxide layer.
What two substances are needed for iron to rust?
Both air (oxygen) and water are required for iron to rust.
How can rust be prevented by coating iron?
Coatings like paint, oil, grease, or plastic create a barrier to keep air and water away from iron.
Why does a scratched coating of zinc still protect iron?
Zinc is more reactive than iron, so it oxidises first, sacrificially protecting the iron (galvanisation).
What is sacrificial protection?
Sacrificial protection uses a more reactive metal (e.g., zinc) to oxidise instead of the iron, even if the coating is damaged.
Where is sacrificial protection commonly used?
It is used in harsh conditions like seawater or underground pipes.
Why do sacrificial metal bars need replacing?
The bars (e.g., magnesium) corrode over time and must be replaced to continue protecting the iron.
What is galvanisation?
Galvanisation is the process of coating iron with zinc to prevent rusting through sacrificial protection.
What is bronze?
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, first made around 5500 years ago. Bronze is tough and resistant to corrosion.
What is brass?
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, known for being hard yet workable.
Why is aluminium alloyed with other elements?
Alloying improves aluminium’s properties, creating lightweight but strong materials for uses like aircraft.
Why is gold alloyed with copper for jewellery?
Pure gold is soft; alloying with copper increases hardness and allows for different shades.