An industrial plant makes ammonia from nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas. The reaction is exothermic.
The graph shows the adjustments made to increase the yield of ammonia.
Account for the changes in conditions that have shaped the graph during the time the system was observed. Include a relevant chemical equation in your answer. (5 marks)
\(\ce{N2(g) + 3H2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NH3(g) \ \ \ \ ΔH = -92 kJ mol}^{-1} \)
From \( t_0\) to \(t_1: \) the system is in equilibrium.
At \(t_1:\)
→ Nitrogen is introduced to the system and its concentration increases sharply.
→ Le Chatelier’s principle states that when a system in equilibrium is disturbed, the equilibrium will shift in the direction that minimises the change. In this case, the equilibrium will shift to the right to use up more nitrogen. A greater yield of ammonia will result until equilibrium is re-established.
At \(t_2:\)
→ The concentration of both reactants and products increases. This effect could be caused by a decrease in volume of the reaction vessel which will result in an increase in pressure on the system.
→ The above equation shows that 4 moles of gas (on the left-hand side) react to form 2 moles of gas (on the right-hand side). Le Chatelier’s principle dictates that this increase in pressure will cause the system to again shift right, to the side with fewer moles of gas, to counteract the change.
→ This right shift will further increase the yield of ammonia until equilibrium is re-established.
At \(t_3:\)
→ There is a change to the system that shifts the reaction back to the left. The gradual change in concentrations indicate that this could be due to a change in temperature.
→ Since this reaction is exothermic, the reverse reaction (left shift) absorbs heat. An increase in temperature would cause this shift, lowering the yield of ammonia until equilibrium is again restored.
\(\ce{N2(g) + 3H2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NH3(g) \ \ \ \ ΔH = -92 kJ mol}^{-1} \)
From \( t_0\) to \(t_1: \) the system is in equilibrium.
At \(t_1:\)
→ Nitrogen is introduced to the system and its concentration increases sharply.
→ Le Chatelier’s principle states that when a system in equilibrium is disturbed, the equilibrium will shift in the direction that minimises the change. In this case, the equilibrium will shift to the right to use up more nitrogen. A greater yield of ammonia will result until equilibrium is re-established.
At \(t_2:\)
→ The concentration of both reactants and products increases. This effect could be caused by a decrease in volume of the reaction vessel which will result in an increase in pressure on the system.
→ The above equation shows that 4 moles of gas (on the left-hand side) react to form 2 moles of gas (on the right-hand side). Le Chatelier’s principle dictates that this increase in pressure will cause the system to again shift right, to the side with fewer moles of gas, to counteract the change.
→ This right shift will further increase the yield of ammonia until equilibrium is re-established.
At \(t_3:\)
→ There is a change to the system that shifts the reaction back to the left. The gradual change in concentrations indicate that this could be due to a change in temperature.
→ Since this reaction is exothermic, the reverse reaction (left shift) absorbs heat. An increase in temperature would cause this shift, lowering the yield of ammonia until equilibrium is again restored.