Question

What effect would adding water (H2O) have on this reaction over time? (NH4)2CO3(s) ⇌ 2NH3(g) +CO2(g) +H2O(g)

Answer 1

Adding water to the equilibrium reaction of (NH₄)₂CO₃ decomposing will shift the reaction toward the reactants, favoring the formation of solid ammonium carbonate and changing the NH₃ to NH₄₊ and OH- due to hydrolysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks what effect adding water (H₂O) would have on the equilibrium reaction of (NH₄)₂CO₃ decomposing into 2NH₃, CO₂, and H₂O. Adding water shifts the reaction towards the solid ammonium carbonate according to Le Chatelier's principle, as the system will try to counteract the change by consuming the extra H₂O produced in the reaction. Additionally, since ammonia (NH₃) reacts with water in a hydrolysis reaction to form ammonium ions (NH₄+) and hydroxide ions (OH-), adding more water could also increase the conversion of ammonia to ammonium hydroxide, which further shifts the equilibrium.

Answer 2

Answer is: the position of equilibrium will move to the left.

Balanced chemical reaction: (NH₄)₂CO₃ ⇄ 2NH₃ + CO₂ + H₂O.

According to Le Chatelier's Principle the position of equilibrium moves to counteract the change.

The position of equilibrium will move so that the concentration of water decreases again by reacting it with ammonia and carbon dioxide.