Ammonia is produced when a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen reacts - AQA - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 6 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 6
Ammonia is produced when a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen reacts.
The equation for the reaction is:
$$N_2 (g) + 3H_2 (g) \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3 (g)$$
06.1 Nit... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Ammonia is produced when a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen reacts - AQA - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 6 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
Explain how a sample can be tested to show that carbon dioxide is not present in the mixture.
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Answer
To test for the presence of carbon dioxide, you can use limewater (calcium hydroxide solution). When a sample is bubbled through limewater, the solution should remain colorless if carbon dioxide is not present.
Step 2
Explain how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction.
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Answer
A catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway that has a lower activation energy, allowing the reaction to proceed more quickly without being consumed in the process.
Step 3
Explain how an equilibrium is reached.
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Equilibrium is reached when the apparatus prevents the escape of reactants and products, allowing the forward and reverse reactions to occur at the same rate, leading to no net change in the concentrations of reactants and products.
Step 4
Suggest how the catalyst affects the equilibrium position. Give one reason for your answer.
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The equilibrium position stays the same; a catalyst does not affect the equilibrium position but increases the rate of the forward and reverse reactions equally.
Step 5
What is the effect of increasing the pressure on the reaction to produce ammonia?
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The yield of ammonia increases.
Step 6
Explain the effect of increasing the temperature on the yield of ammonia gas produced at equilibrium.
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Answer
As the forward reaction is exothermic, increasing the temperature shifts the system in the endothermic direction, which leads to a decrease in the yield of ammonia at equilibrium.