Question

What will happen to the following equilibrium if the volume of the vessel in which the equilibrium is contained increases? 2NO2(g) = N2O2(g) Select the correct answer below: O It will shift to the right. O It will shift to the left. O There will be no change. O It depends on the factor by which the volume increases.

Answer 1

Increasing the volume of the vessel containing the equilibrium of 2NO2(g) to N2O4(g) will cause the equilibrium to shift to the left, thereby increasing the concentration of NO2 and decreasing the concentration of N2O4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question deals with the effect of volume change on a gas-phase chemical equilibrium. When the volume of the equilibrium containing NO2 and N2O4 is increased, the equilibrium will shift to the side with a greater number of gas particles. In the given reaction 2NO2(g) = N2O4(g), there are 2 moles of gas on the left and 1 mole of gas on the right. According to Le Chatelier's principle, increasing the volume will cause the equilibrium to shift to the left, to the side with the more gas particles, increasing the concentration of NO2 and decreasing the concentration of N2O4, to counteract the change in volume.