In the reaction CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇌ CH3OH(g), what will happen if H2 is removed?

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Q: In the reaction CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇌ CH3OH(g), what will happen if H2 is removed?

Solution: Removing H2 will shift the equilibrium to the left to produce more H2, according to Le Chatelier's principle.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand the reaction CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇌ CH3OH(g). This means carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen gas (H2) can combine to form methanol (CH3OH).
Step 2: Recognize that the reaction is in equilibrium, meaning it can go in both directions: from left to right (producing CH3OH) and from right to left (producing CO and H2).
Step 3: Identify what happens when H2 is removed from the reaction. This means there is less hydrogen gas available for the reaction.
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 removed, the system will try to produce more H2 to restore balance. This means the reaction will shift to the left, favoring the production of CO and H2.
Step 6: Conclude that removing H2 will result in more CO and H2 being produced, and less CH3OH.