Question

What is the effect of adding more catalyst on the concentrations of H₂, CO, and CH₃OH at equilibrium in the methanol production reaction?

a) Concentration of H₂ increases, CO decreases, CH₃OH remains unchanged.
b) Concentration of H₂ decreases, CO increases, CH₃OH remains unchanged.
c) Concentrations of H₂, CO, and CH₃OH all increase.
d) Concentrations of H₂, CO, and CH₃OH all decrease.

Answer 1

Adding a catalyst to the methanol production reaction does not change the equilibrium concentrations of H₂, CO, and CH₃OH; it only accelerates the rate at which the equilibrium is reached.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effect of adding a catalyst to the equilibrium concentration of reactants and products in the methanol production reaction, 2H₂(g) + CO(g) ⇌ CH₃OH(g), will not change the concentrations of H₂, CO, and CH₃OH at equilibrium.

A catalyst increases the rate at which equilibrium is reached but does not alter the position of equilibrium itself.

Therefore, the concentration of reactants (H₂ and CO) and the product (CH₃OH) remain unchanged.