Question

Industrially, NH₃ is obtained by direct combination between nitrogen and hydrogen.
(i) Write correctly balanced equation for the direct combination of nitrogen with hydrogen.
(ii) Which metal catalyses the reaction?
(iii) Is the formation of NH₃ promoted by the use of high pressure or low pressure?
(iv) Is ammonia more dense or less dense than air?
(v) What property of NH₃ is demonstrated by fountain experiment?
(vi) Write correctly balanced equation for the reaction between NH₃ and sulphuric acid.

Answer 1

(i) The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen during formation of ammonia is as follows:
${\text{N}}_2\left(g\right)+{\text{3H}}_2\left(\text{g}\right)\underset{{\text{450-500}}^{0}C,\text{200-900 atm}}{\overset{\text{Fe, Mo}}{\to }}{\text{2NH}}_3$

(ii) Iron is used as a catalyst in the above reaction.
(iii) Formation of ammonia is promoted by high pressure.
(iv) Ammonia is less denser than air.
(v) Ammonia is highly soluble in water, which is demonstrated through the fountain experiment.
(vi) The correctly balanced equation for the reaction between NH₃ and sulphuric acid is as follows:

2NH₃ + H₂SO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄