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

4359 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does pH relate to pKa?


Write an equation for the incomplete combustion of dodecane to produce gaseous products only.


Why do first ionisation energies decrease down a group but increase across a period?


Why does phenol react more readily with bromine than benzene?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning