Contact Process Conditions for Sulfuric Acid Production

Steps:

• Identify the Contact Process as the industrial method for sulfuric acid via SO₂ oxidation to SO₃.
• Recall optimal temperature of 450°C balances reaction rate and equilibrium yield.
• Note atmospheric pressure (1 atm) suffices due to minimal volume change in the reaction.
• Confirm vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) as the catalyst for efficient SO₃ formation.

Why D is correct:

• Matches the standard conditions: 450°C optimizes kinetics and thermodynamics per Le Chatelier's principle, 1 atm is economical, and V₂O₅ catalyzes the exothermic reaction effectively.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: 100°C is too low for practical reaction rate.
• B: 300°C and 1000 atm are incorrect; Fe is Haber process catalyst.
• C: Fe catalyst is wrong; V₂O₅ is required for SO₂ oxidation.

Final answer: D