In the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what happens to the equilibrium if th
Practice Questions
Q1
In the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what happens to the equilibrium if the volume of the container is decreased?
Shift to the right
Shift to the left
No change
Increase the rate of reaction
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
In the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g), what happens to the equilibrium if the volume of the container is decreased?
Step 1: Understand that the reaction involves gases: 2SO2, O2, and 2SO3.
Step 2: Identify the total number of gas moles on each side of the reaction.
Step 3: Count the moles on the left side: 2 moles of SO2 + 1 mole of O2 = 3 moles total.
Step 4: Count the moles on the right side: 2 moles of SO3 = 2 moles total.
Step 5: Recognize that decreasing the volume of the container increases the pressure of the gases inside.
Step 6: Apply Le Chatelier's principle, which states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, it will shift to counteract the disturbance.
Step 7: Since there are fewer moles of gas on the right side (2 moles of SO3) compared to the left side (3 moles), the equilibrium will shift to the right.
Step 8: Conclude that the equilibrium will shift towards the production of SO3 when the volume is decreased.
