Answer:
So let's say we are scientists. Increasing the temperature in the reaction between CO and steam would actually increase the yield of hydrogen gas. This can be explained using Le Chatelier's principle.
According to Le Chatelier's principle, when a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in temperature, the system will try to counteract the change and establish a new equilibrium. In this reaction, the formation of hydrogen gas is an exothermic process, meaning that heat is produced.
By increasing the temperature, the system is being subjected to an external heat source. In response, the equilibrium will shift in the direction that consumes heat, which is the reverse reaction. In this case, the reverse reaction would be the formation of CO and steam from CO2 and H2.
However, since the reverse reaction consumes CO and steam, the forward reaction (formation of CO2 and H2) will be favored to replenish the reactants. As a result, increasing the temperature will increase the yield of hydrogen gas.
To summarize it:
- Increasing the temperature will cause the equilibrium to shift towards the formation of CO2 and H2.
- This shift will favor the forward reaction, leading to an increased yield of hydrogen gas.