In the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what will happen if SO3 is removed from the system?

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Q: In the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what will happen if SO3 is removed from the system?

Solution: Removing SO3 will shift the equilibrium to the right to produce more SO3, according to Le Chatelier's principle.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand the reaction: 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g) means that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxygen (O2) can react to form sulfur trioxide (SO3).
Step 2: Recognize that this reaction is at equilibrium, meaning the forward and reverse reactions are happening at the same rate.
Step 3: Identify what happens when SO3 is removed from the system: the amount of SO3 decreases.
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 SO3 is removed, the system will try to produce more SO3 to replace what was taken out.
Step 6: This means the equilibrium will shift to the right, favoring the production of more SO3 from SO2 and O2.