What happens to the equilibrium of the reaction 2NO2(g) ⇌ N2O4(g) when the tempe

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Question: What happens to the equilibrium of the reaction 2NO2(g) ⇌ N2O4(g) when the temperature is decreased?

Options:

Correct Answer: Shift to the right

Solution:

The reaction is exothermic; decreasing the temperature shifts the equilibrium to the right, favoring the formation of N2O4.

What happens to the equilibrium of the reaction 2NO2(g) ⇌ N2O4(g) when the temperature is decreased?

What happens to the equilibrium of the reaction 2NO2(g) ⇌ N2O4(g) when the temperature is decreased?

Step 1: Identify the reaction: 2NO2(g) ⇌ N2O4(g).
Step 2: Determine if the reaction is exothermic or endothermic. In this case, the reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat.
Step 3: Understand Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, it will shift to counteract the disturbance.
Step 4: Recognize that decreasing the temperature is a disturbance that removes heat from the system.
Step 5: Since the reaction is exothermic, removing heat will shift the equilibrium to the right to produce more heat.
Step 6: Conclude that the equilibrium shifts to the right, favoring the formation of N2O4.

Le Chatelier's Principle – This principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the position of equilibrium shifts to counteract the change.
Exothermic Reactions – In exothermic reactions, heat is released; thus, lowering the temperature favors the formation of products.