Q. For the equilibrium reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what will happen if the volume of the container is increased?
A.
Shifts to the right
B.
Shifts to the left
C.
No effect
D.
Increases the reaction rate
Solution
Increasing the volume decreases the pressure, which shifts the equilibrium to the left, favoring the side with more moles of gas (3 moles of reactants).
Q. In a reaction at equilibrium, what effect does increasing the pressure have if the number of moles of gas on the reactant side is greater than on the product side?
A.
Shifts to the right
B.
Shifts to the left
C.
No effect
D.
Reaction stops
Solution
Increasing the pressure will shift the equilibrium to the right, favoring the side with fewer moles of gas.
Q. What effect does decreasing the temperature have on an endothermic reaction at equilibrium?
A.
Shifts to the right
B.
Shifts to the left
C.
No effect
D.
Increases the reaction rate
Solution
Decreasing the temperature for an endothermic reaction shifts the equilibrium to the left, favoring the reactants, as the system tries to release heat.
Q. What is the effect of adding an inert gas at constant volume to a system at equilibrium?
A.
Shifts the equilibrium to the right
B.
Shifts the equilibrium to the left
C.
No effect
D.
Increases the reaction rate
Solution
Adding an inert gas at constant volume does not change the partial pressures of the reactants or products, thus it has no effect on the equilibrium position.
