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Which gas is commonly used in the production of ammonia by the Haber process?

Oxygen

Nitrogen

Chlorine

Helium

Correct Answer

🔬 SC • Science Concept & PrincipleGeneral ScienceScience GK

Option B

Nitrogen

Quick Summary:

The Haber process is the industrial method used to produce ammonia ( $NH_3$ ) by reacting atmospheric nitrogen ( $N_2$ ) with hydrogen ( $H_2$ ) gas · Nitrogen is the fundamental feedstock required for this synthesis, which is essential for manufacturing synthetic fertilizers.

🔬SCScience SolutionConcept & Principle

💡 Explanation

💡 Everyday Analogy (Real-World Intuition)

Think of the Haber process like baking a cake where nitrogen is the flour; without it, you simply cannot make the final product, regardless of how much heat or energy you apply.

🧠 Memory Mnemonic / Shortcut Aid

N-H-A: Nitrogen + Hydrogen = Ammonia

🔢 Key Formulas

$N_2 + 3H_2 \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3$ — The Haber-Bosch equation for ammonia synthesis

$\Delta H = -92 \text{ kJ/mol}$ — The enthalpy change of the reaction, indicating it is exothermic

⚙️ Working Principle

The process involves an exothermic reversible reaction occurring under high pressure ( $200 \text{ atm}$ ) and moderate temperature ( $450°\text{C}$ ) in the presence of an iron catalyst · The reaction is: $N_2(g) + 3H_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3(g)$ ( $\Delta H = -92 \text{ kJ/mol}$ ) · According to Le Chatelier's principle, high pressure favors the side with fewer moles of gas, thereby maximizing the yield of ammonia.

📌 Key Points

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The process uses iron as a catalyst to speed up the rate of reaction.
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The ratio of Nitrogen to Hydrogen used is typically 1:3 by volume.
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The Haber process is crucial for global food security as it produces ammonia for nitrogen-based fertilizers.

✅ Advantages

▸
High industrial output efficiency
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Essential for large-scale agricultural production

❌ Disadvantages / Limitations

▸
Requires high energy input due to extreme pressure and temperature conditions
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Dependence on fossil fuels to produce the hydrogen gas

🛠️ Applications / Uses

▸
Production of fertilizers like ammonium nitrate and urea
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Synthesis of nitric acid and industrial explosives

📄 Additional Information

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The pressure used is typically between 150-250 atmospheres.
▸
Option A (Oxygen) is incorrect because it would cause combustion rather than ammonia synthesis.
▸
Option C (Chlorine) is highly reactive and would form different compounds, not ammonia.
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Option D (Helium) is an inert noble gas and does not participate in chemical bonding for this synthesis.

📊 Diagram / Illustration

✅

B is correct — Nitrogen gas ( $N_2$ ) serves as the primary reactant in the Haber process to form ammonia through combination with hydrogen.

Core Concepts Used

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Chemical Equilibrium Exothermic Reactions Industrial Catalysis

💡 EXAM TIP

Always remember the 1:3 ratio of Nitrogen to Hydrogen in the Haber process, as this is a frequently asked numerical fact in competitive exams.

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