Question

What happens to the concentration of NO₂(g) when the total pressure on the equilibrium reaction
`2 Pb(NO_3)_2(s) \rightleftharpoons 2 PbO(s) + 4 NO_2(g) + O_2(g)` is increased (by compression)?

1. decreases
2. remains the same
3. Unable to determine
4. increases

Answer 1

1

Step-by-step explanation:

To adequately account for what happens to volume when pressure is increased, we need to know exactly the type of volume change that occurred. Now as we can see, there is a volume change from 2 moles to 7 moles.

This shows an increase in volume. To favor the forward reaction, there should be a decrease in the volume which is unfortunately not the case here. Hence it’s the backward reaction that would be favored.

Since the formation of NO2 is in the forward reaction, then, we can see that its concentration will decrease