Question

When added to Fe3O4(s) in a closed container, which one of the following substances—H2(g), H2O(g), O2(g)— allows equilibrium to be established in the reaction 3 Fe(s) + 4 H2O(g) Fe3O4(s) + 4 H2(g)?

Answer 1

To establish equilibrium for the reaction 3 Fe(s) + 4 H2O(g) ⇄ Fe3O4(s) + 4 H2(g), one should add either H2O(g) or H2(g), but not O2(g), as O2 is not involved in the reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is about chemical equilibrium and involves a reversible reaction with iron (Fe) and steam (H2O) to form iron oxide (Fe3O4) and hydrogen gas (H2).

The reaction is 3 Fe(s) + 4 H2O(g) ⇌ Fe3O4(s) + 4 H2(g).

To establish equilibrium when starting with Fe3O4(s), one would add either H2O(g) or H2(g), but not O2(g), since O2 is not a part of the equilibrium reaction provided.

Adding H2O(g) would shift the equilibrium towards the production of H2(g), while adding H2(g) would shift the equilibrium towards the production of H2O(g) and Fe(s).

According to Le Châtelier's Principle, the system would adjust itself to counteract the change and re-establish the equilibrium.