Part B The following system is at equilibrium: X(s)+3Y(g)Z(g) Classify each of t
ID: 474174 • Letter: P
Question
Part B
The following system is at equilibrium:
X(s)+3Y(g)Z(g)
Classify each of the following actions by whether it causes a leftward shift, a rightward shift, or no shift in the direction of the net reaction.
A. Add more X.
B. Remove some X.
C. Increase the volume.
D. Decrease the volume.
Part B
The following system is at equilibrium:
X(s)+3Y(g)Z(g)
Classify each of the following actions by whether it causes a leftward shift, a rightward shift, or no shift in the direction of the net reaction.
A. Add more X.
B. Remove some X.
C. Increase the volume.
D. Decrease the volume.
Explanation / Answer
The following system is at equilibrium:
X(s)+3Y(g)Z(g)
First let's write the expression for the equilibrium constant (keq). Remember that solids aren't included in the equilibrium constant expression (the reason behind this is that solids always have an activity = 1, meaning we can write them in the equation but it will just be writing a number 1, so no effect; the activity of liquids is usually measured in concentration and the activity for gases in pressure). Also, we're dealing with gases here so the equilibrium expression is rather expressed with pressures (P) but we can still use concentrations, thought that is more difficult to measure in a lab:
keq = (PZ) / (PY3)
A. Add more X = No effect because X is a solid and it doesn't appear in the keq.
B. Remove some X = No effect because X is a solid and it doesn't appear in the keq.
C. Increase the volume = If we increase the volume, we will also decrease the pressure and therefore the reaction will go towards the left.
D. Decrease the volume = If we decrease the volume, we will also increase the pressure and therefore the reaction will go towards the right.