For the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what happens if SO3 is removed from
Practice Questions
Q1
For the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what happens if SO3 is removed from the system?
Shift to the left
Shift to the right
No change
Increase the rate of reaction
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
For the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what happens if SO3 is removed from the system?
Step 1: Understand the reaction: 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g) means that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxygen (O2) react to form sulfur trioxide (SO3).
Step 2: Recognize that this reaction can reach a state of balance called equilibrium, where the amounts of reactants and products remain constant.
Step 3: Identify what happens when SO3 is removed from the system: the concentration of SO3 decreases.
Step 4: Apply Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that if a change is made to a system at equilibrium, the system will adjust to counteract that change.
Step 5: Since SO3 is removed, the system will try to increase the amount of SO3 again.
Step 6: To produce more SO3, the reaction will shift to the right, meaning more SO2 and O2 will react to form SO3.
Le Chatelier's Principle – When a system at equilibrium is disturbed, it will shift in a direction that counteracts the disturbance.
Equilibrium Shift – The concept that the position of equilibrium can change in response to changes in concentration, pressure, or temperature.