Section 7.3: Chemistry Journal
Section 7.3 Questions, page 438
1. Increasing the temperature lowered the ammonia yield because it shifted the
equilibrium to favour the reactants.
2. The economic necessity that Haber discussed was the need for more fertilizer to
increase food production for a growing population.
3. Adding a catalyst increases the rate of the chemical reaction. If ammonia is removed,
the rate of making more ammonia is higher with the catalyst. The catalyst does not,
however, change the equilibrium to favour ammonia production.
4. Increasing pressure inside the reaction vessel shifts the equilibrium in favour of the
product, ammonia.
5. Answers may vary. Answers should include the following information: The
development of a process to manufacture ammonia was driven by the economic need for
fertilizer but limited by the ability to produce the best reaction conditions for
manufacturing ammonia. The process today uses better catalysts and better technologies
to separate ammonia from the reaction mixture. (Encourage students to use creative ways,
such as posters, models, or slides, to present their answers to this question.)
6. Answers will vary. Sample answer: Scientific research should not focus on real-world
problems because many advances come from research driven by curiosity. For example,
Haber’s research was mainly driven by his curiosity, but it led to a major advance in
chemical production techniques.
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Chapter 7: Chemical Equilibrium
7.3-1