For the equilibrium reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what is the effect of de

For the equilibrium reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what is the effect of decreasing the volume of the container? (2021)

For the equilibrium reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what is the effect of decreasing the volume of the container? (2021)

Step 1: Understand the reaction: 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g). This means that two molecules of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and one molecule of oxygen (O2) can turn into two molecules of sulfur trioxide (SO3).
Step 2: Recognize that the left side (reactants) has 3 gas molecules (2 SO2 + 1 O2) and the right side (products) has 2 gas molecules (2 SO3).
Step 3: Know that decreasing the volume of the container increases the pressure inside the container.
Step 4: Apply Le Chatelier's principle, which states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, it will shift to counteract the disturbance.
Step 5: Since the pressure increases when the volume decreases, the equilibrium will shift towards the side with fewer gas molecules to reduce the pressure.
Step 6: In this reaction, the right side has fewer gas molecules (2 SO3) compared to the left side (3 total gas molecules). Therefore, the equilibrium will shift to the right.

Le Chatelier's Principle – This principle states that if an external change is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system will adjust to counteract that change and restore a new equilibrium.
Gas Laws – Understanding how changes in volume affect pressure and the behavior of gases in a closed system.
Stoichiometry of Gases – Recognizing the relationship between the number of moles of reactants and products in a chemical reaction.