Distinguish rate considerations from equilibrium yield considerations in the Haber process. (HT only; Chemistry only)

In the Haber process, the rate of ammonia synthesis is increased by high temperature and pressure, but these conditions shift the equilibrium toward reactants, lowering the overall yield of NH₃. A higher temperature speeds the forward and reverse reactions equally, so the position of equilibrium is unchanged, but the reaction rate rises. Conversely, a lower temperature slows the reaction but favours product formation, increasing the equilibrium yield. Industrial plants therefore balance these opposing effects: they use a temperature high enough for a practical rate while applying pressure to push the equilibrium toward ammonia, then cool the mixture to liquefy and recover the product before recycling unreacted gases.