How does the Haber Process work?

The Haber Process is not like many of the other chemical reactions. This is because it is an equilibrium reaction, this means that the reaction can go in either direction. These reactions are shown with the double ended arrow as shown below.

We know that Ammonia or NH₃ is made up of a single Nitrogen atom and 3 Hydrogen atoms. As both of these elements come in the diatomic state- i.e. N₂ and H₂ (see below)

N₂ molecule

H₂ molecule

Therefore we need to make the Nitrogen:Hydrogen ratio even instead of odd! This gives us the Nitrogen:Hydrogen ratio of 2:6 rather than 1:3. With this information we can create a chemical equilibrium reaction of the Haber Process.

The Haber Process Chemical Equation

This equilibrium reaction works in a different way to standard reactions but how does it work? This is what Le Chatiliers Principle explains.

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