Haber Process Conditions and Sources

Steps:

• Apply Le Chatelier's principle: exothermic reaction favors low temperature for equilibrium shift right, but high temperature used for rate.
• For pressure: fewer gas moles on right (4→2), so high pressure shifts equilibrium right.
• Catalyst accelerates attainment of equilibrium but does not shift its position.
• Identify industrial inputs: nitrogen sourced from air via fractional distillation, hydrogen from natural gas.

Why D is correct:

• Nitrogen is obtained from air, which is ~78% N₂, separated by liquefaction and distillation as per industrial gas production methods.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: High pressure (200–300 atm) is used to shift equilibrium right, not low.
• B: Low temperature favors equilibrium right but slows rate; moderate 450°C used instead.
• C: Iron catalyst speeds equilibrium attainment but does not shift its position per catalysis definition.

Final answer: D