Why is the Harber process performed at higher temperatures rather than low?

The forward reaction in the Harber process is exothermic. Following Le Chatelier's principle, the reaction would therefore be favoured by using lower temperatures, increasing the yield of ammonia at equilibrium. However, decreasing the temperature would lower the rate of reaction, slowing the production of ammonia. Therefore a higher compromise temperature is used to make the production of ammonia feasible; low enough to obtain a good yield of ammonia but high enough to maintain a reasonable rate of reaction.

TM
Answered by Thomas M. Chemistry tutor

4889 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why the first ionisation energy of Al is less than that of Mg?


What are the three pieces of evidence that disprove the Kekulé model of Benzene?


Why does butan-2-ol have no effect on plane polarised light?


1. X with 2,4-DNPH forms a red precipitate. 2. X reduces blue Copper ions into red precipitate. What kind of compound is X?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning