Which metal is used as a catalyst in this reaction?
How to approach this question
Recall the specific conditions required for the Haber process. This includes the temperature, pressure, and the catalyst used to speed up the reaction.
Full Answer
Iron
The catalyst used in the Haber process is iron (Fe). It is used as a finely divided powder to maximise its surface area, which increases the rate of reaction. The catalyst speeds up both the forward and reverse reactions equally, allowing equilibrium to be reached more quickly, but it does not change the position of the equilibrium or the percentage yield.
Common mistakes
✗ Naming another metal like platinum or nickel (which are used in other industrial processes).
✗ Naming a non-metal.
✗ Stating "iron oxide" (while it can be used, "iron" is the expected answer).
Expert