Question

Sulfur dioxide and oxygen react to form sulfur trioxide, like this:

2 SO₂(g) +O₂(g) - 2 SO,(9)
The reaction is exothermic. Suppose a mixture of SO₂, O₂ and SO, has come to equilibrium in a closed reaction vessel. Predict what change, if any, the
perturbations in the table below will cause in the composition of the mixture in the vessel. Also decide whether the equilibrium shifts to the right or left.
perturbation
change in composition
The temperature is raised. The pressure of S03, will ?
The temperature is
lowered.
The pressure of SO₂ will ?
shift in equilibrium
O to the right
O to the left
O (none)
O to the right
O to the left
O (none)
X

Answer 1

Raising the temperature shifts the equilibrium to the right, favoring the formation of sulfur trioxide, while lowering the temperature shifts the equilibrium to the left, favoring the formation of sulfur dioxide and oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the temperature is raised in the equilibrium mixture of sulfur dioxide, oxygen, and sulfur trioxide, the composition of the mixture will shift to the right, favoring the formation of sulfur trioxide. This is because the reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat. When temperature is increased, the equilibrium shifts in the direction that absorbs heat, which is the forward reaction. As a result, the pressure of sulfur trioxide will increase while the pressures of sulfur dioxide and oxygen will decrease.

On the other hand, when the temperature is lowered in the equilibrium mixture, the composition of the mixture will shift to the left, favoring the formation of sulfur dioxide and oxygen. This is because the reaction is exothermic and decreasing the temperature will favor the reaction that releases heat. As a result, the pressure of sulfur trioxide will decrease while the pressures of sulfur dioxide and oxygen will increase.

In summary, increasing the temperature shifts the equilibrium to the right, favoring the formation of sulfur trioxide, while decreasing the temperature shifts the equilibrium to the left, favoring the formation of sulfur dioxide and oxygen.