Question

With the reference to manufacture of ammonia.

(i) Name the process.

(ii) In what ratio must the reactants be taken?

(iii) Name the catalyst used.

(iv) Is ammonia a reducing or oxydising agent?

(v) Give the equation for the manufacture of ammonia.

Answer 1

Manufacturing Ammonia:

1. Haber's process: Ammonia is manufactured by Haber's process.
2. Ratio of reactants in Haber's process: Nitrogen and Hydrogen are in the ratio 1:3 by volume for the manufacture of Ammonia.
3. Catalyst: Finely divided iron is used as a catalyst for the preparation of Ammonia.

4. Reducing agent: Ammonia is a strong reducing agent, as it reduces the other substances in a reaction by oxidizing itself.

Example: Ammonia acts as a reducing agent in the reaction with Copper oxide $\left(\mathrm{CuO}\right)$ and reduces it to copper.

$3\mathrm{CuO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2{\mathrm{NH}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 3\mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{N}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+3{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$

5. Equation for the manufacture of Ammonia:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{N}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+3{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\underset{\mathrm{above}200\mathrm{atm}}{\overset{450-500°\mathrm{C}}{\rightleftharpoons }} \\ \mathrm{Fe}\mathrm{and}\mathrm{Mo} \end{gathered}$$ $2{\mathrm{NH}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+\mathrm{Heat}$

So in Haber's process of Ammonia, 1:3 ratio of Nitrogen and Hydrogen under 450-500°C temperature, above 200 atm pressure, in presence of Iron as a catalyst, Molybdenum as a promotor gives Ammonia as a product.