Consider the following statements: 1. The circulation of nitrogen from the inorganic compounds in the soil to form protein in plants and animals and back again is known as the nitrogen cycle. 2. The preparation of ammonia by Haber process is an endothermic reaction. 3. Urea is synthetically made by the action of ammonia and carbon dioxide under high temperature and high pressure. Which of the statements given above is/are **not** correct?

Statement 1 is correct as the nitrogen cycle describes the circulation of nitrogen from inorganic soil compounds to organic proteins in plants and animals, eventually returning to the soil [3]. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Haber process (N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3) is an exothermic reaction, meaning it releases heat (ΔH = -92.4 kJ/mol). Industrially, it uses an iron catalyst at high pressure and moderate temperature to optimize yield. Statement 3 is correct; urea (NH2CONH2) is synthetically produced via the Bosch-Meiser process, which involves the reaction of ammonia and carbon dioxide at high temperature (170-190°C) and high pressure (130-200 bar) to form ammonium carbamate, which then dehydrates to urea. Since the question asks for the statement that is NOT correct, only statement 2 fits the criteria.

Sources

1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > s r n r u l z N ,- / & f . -. : : u ' , \ S ACADEMY * d 6 # . , r '' t u f Y l ' ' J * w { d ) / u Y . / > p. 20
2. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Activity 5.2 > p. 83