What is the significance of using a pressure of 200 atmospheres in the Haber process?

Using a pressure of 200 atmospheres in the Haber process is significant because it increases the yield of ammonia in a cost-effective manner. The Haber process is an industrial method for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases, and the reaction is reversible and exothermic. According to Le Chatelier's principle, increasing the pressure of a system at equilibrium favors the side of the reaction that produces fewer moles of gas.

In the case of the Haber process, the reaction converts three moles of gas (one mole of nitrogen and three moles of hydrogen) into two moles of ammonia gas. By applying a high pressure, such as 200 atmospheres, the equilibrium shifts towards the production of ammonia, thus increasing its yield. This method balances the cost of high pressure with the benefits of higher ammonia production, making the process economically viable.