Question

When the pressure is decreased by increasing the volume, the position of equilibrium shifts toward the side with _________ number of molecules —the ________ side.

a) smaller, reactants
b) smaller, products
c) greater, reactants
d) greater, products

Answer 1

Decreasing pressure by increasing volume shifts equilibrium toward the side with more moles of gas, in this case, the products side.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the pressure is decreased by increasing the volume, the position of equilibrium shifts toward the side with the greater number of molecules—the products side. This is because decreasing the pressure (by increasing the volume) causes the equilibrium to favor the side with the most moles of gas, which occupies a greater volume. On the other hand, if the pressure is increased by decreasing the volume, the equilibrium will shift to favor the side with the fewer number of moles of gas.