Question

For each of the following changes at equiLiBrium, indicate whether the equiLiBrium shifts in the direction of products, shifts in the direction of reactants, or does not change. N₂(g) + O₂(g) + heat ⇌ 2no(g). 1) What happens to the equiLiBrium when the temperature is increased? 2) What happens to the equiLiBrium when the volume of the container is decreased? 3) What happens to the equiLiBrium when a catalyst is added? 4) What happens to the equiLiBrium when more N₂(g) is added?

1) Shifts in the direction of products
2) Shifts in the direction of reactants
3) Does not change

Answer 1

When temperature increases, equilibrium shifts towards products; when volume decreases, equilibrium is not affected; addition of a catalyst won't change equilibrium but will speed up achieving it; adding more N2 shifts equilibrium towards products.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the impact of different conditions on a chemical equilibrium is crucial in predicting how the system will respond. Let's explore each scenario:

1. Increase in temperature: The reaction N₂(g) + O₂(g) + heat ⇌ 2NO(g) is endothermic, as indicated by the presence of heat on the reactants side. Increasing the temperature favors the endothermic process, thus the equilibrium will shift towards the products to absorb the added heat.
2. Decrease in volume: With a decrease in volume, or equivalently an increase in pressure, the equilibrium will shift towards the side with fewer moles of gas. In the given reaction, 1 mole of N₂ and 1 mole of O₂ produce 2 moles of NO. Since the number of moles on the reactants side equals the products side, a decrease in volume will not change the equilibrium position.
3. Addition of a catalyst: Adding a catalyst to a reaction system speeds up both the forward and reverse reactions equally without affecting the equilibrium concentrations. The equilibrium position will not change, but the system will reach equilibrium faster.
4. More N₂ added: If more N₂ is added to the system, by Le Chatelier's principle, the equilibrium will shift towards the products to counteract the change and re-establish equilibrium.