imagines the formation of an ionic compounds as occurring in a series of well-defined steps, each with its own change in enthalpy. is used to combine the enthalpies of the steps in a way that gives the overall lattice energy.

the reaction mixture contains some ammonia, plus a lot of unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen. the mixture is cooled and compressed, causing the ammonia gas to condense into a liquid. the liquefied ammonia is separated and removed. the unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen are then recycled back into the reactor .

it can be observed without changing the identity of the object.

it depends on what substance you're talking about as well as many other factors. in quantum mechanics, the observation of particles affects the observers ability to measure certain properties. for example: you can know the velocity of a particle, but you can't know it's position; or you can know it's position, but not it's velocity. it's like trying to find out where a grain of sand is by throwing other grains of sand at it. once you find out where it is, it's been moved. it's also like trying to find an answer to the question of whether or not a tree falling in a forest makes a sound if nobody is there to hear it. paradoxically, the only way to find out is to be there and hear it.