Question

For the equiLiBrium system described by the equation SO₂(g) + NO₂(g) ⇌ SO₃(g) + NO(g), what will happen if SO₃ is removed? The equiLiBrium shifts to the

1) left
2) right
3) cannot be determined

Answer 1

Removal of SO₃ from the equilibrium system will cause the equilibrium to shift to the right to produce more SO₃, as described by Le Châtelier's Principle.

Step-by-step explanation:

When SO₃ is removed from the equilibrium system described by SO₂(g) + NO₂(g) ⇌ SO₃(g) + NO(g), the equilibrium will shift to the right, forming more SO₃ to counterbalance the decrease in its concentration. This phenomenon is explained by Le Châtelier's Principle, which states that a system at equilibrium will adjust to counteract a change imposed on it.

Removing SO₃ is essentially reducing the concentration of a product, prompting the reaction to produce more SO₃ and NO to restore equilibrium. Similarly, in other chemical systems, changes like the addition of reactants, the removal of products, or changes in volume or temperature can also cause shifts in the equilibrium position.