The Ostwald process for the commercial production of nitric acid involves
three steps:
$$
\begin{array}{l}
4 \mathrm{NH}_{3}(g)+5 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \underset{825^{\circ}
\mathrm{C}}{\longrightarrow} 4 \mathrm{NO}(g)+6 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g)
\\\
2 \mathrm{NO}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{NO}_{2}(g) \\
3 \mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \longrightarrow 2
\mathrm{HNO}_{3}(l)+\mathrm{NO}(g)
\end{array}
$$
a. Calculate \(\Delta H^{\circ}, \Delta S^{\circ}, \Delta G^{\circ}\), and \(K\)
(at \(\left.298 \mathrm{~K}\right)\) for each of the three steps in the Ostwald
process (see Appendix 4).
b. Calculate the equilibrium constant for the first step at \(825^{\circ}
\mathrm{C}\), assuming \(\Delta H^{\circ}\) and \(\Delta S^{\circ}\) do not depend
on temperature.
c. Is there a thermodynamic reason for the high temperature in the first step,
assuming standard conditions?