For the reaction N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g), what will happen if H2 is removed?
Practice Questions
Q1
For the reaction N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g), what will happen if H2 is removed?
Shift to the right
Shift to the left
No change
Reaction stops
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
For the reaction N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g), what will happen if H2 is removed?
Step 1: Understand the reaction: N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g) means nitrogen and hydrogen gases react to form ammonia.
Step 2: Recognize that this reaction can go in both directions: it can produce ammonia or break down ammonia back into nitrogen and hydrogen.
Step 3: Identify what happens when H2 (hydrogen) is removed from the reaction mixture.
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 H2 is a reactant, removing it will disturb the balance of the reaction.
Step 6: To counteract the removal of H2, the reaction will shift to the left, meaning it will produce more reactants (N2 and H2) from the products (NH3).
Step 7: Conclude that removing H2 will result in more N2 and H2 being formed.
Le Chatelier's Principle – When a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in concentration, pressure, or temperature, the system will adjust to counteract that change and restore a new equilibrium.
Equilibrium Shift – The direction in which the equilibrium shifts (to the left or right) in response to changes in concentration of reactants or products.