Methanol, CH 3 OH, can be synthesized from the carbon found in coal by reacting
ID: 573868 • Letter: M
Question
Methanol, CH3OH, can be synthesized from the carbon found in coal by reacting it with steam at high temperatures.
2 C(s) + 2 H2O(g) CO(g) + CH3OH(g)
After an initial equilibrium is reached, how would the following changes affect the amount of methanol present when the system has readjusted to the new equilibrium; would it increase, decrease, or remain the same?
a) Adding more coal to the system: _______________________
b) Increasing the steam pressure: _______________________
c) Increasing the volume of the system: _______________________
d) Adding argon gas to the system: _______________________
e) The amount of methanol formed at equilibrium increases when the temperature is raised. What does this tell you about this reaction?
Explanation / Answer
This is a reversible reaction and hence, governed by Le Chatelier's principle as:
a) Adding more coal to the system: (reaction will proceed towards product side and formation of CO and CH3OH will take place)
b) Increasing the steam pressure: (reaction will proceed towards product side and formation of CO and CH3OH will take place)
c) Increasing the volume of the system: (no effect as both side equall amount of gaseous species are present)
d) Adding argon gas to the system: (no effect as both side equall amount of gaseous species are present)
e) The amount of methanol formed at equilibrium increases when the temperature is raised. What does this tell you about this reaction? : (This indicates that forward reaction is endothermic so increasing temperature will facilitate the formation of products CO and CH3OH)