The following reaction is at equilibrium in a [tex]$2.0 \, L$[/tex] vessel:

[tex]\[ 2 \, \text{SO}_2(g) + \text{O}_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \, \text{SO}_3(g), \quad K_{c} = 1.4 \times 10^1 \][/tex]

How do the following actions affect the equilibrium of the reaction?

Increase volume
Add catalyst
Add sulfur dioxide gas
Remove oxygen gas

Shift to reactants
Shift to products
No shift

Drag the appropriate items to their respective bins.



Answer :

Certainly! Let's analyze how each action affects the equilibrium of the given chemical reaction:

### The Reaction:
[tex]\[ 2 \text{SO}_2(g) + \text{O}_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \text{SO}_3(g) \][/tex]

Given equilibrium constant:
[tex]\[ K_c = 1.4 \times 10^1 \][/tex]

### Actions and Effects on the Equilibrium:

1. Increase Volume:

- Effect on Pressure: Increasing the volume of the reaction vessel decreases the pressure.
- Le Chatelier's Principle: The reaction will shift to counteract this change in pressure.
- Analysis of Moles:

In the reaction, reactants (2 SO₂ + 1 O₂) have 3 moles of gas, while the product (2 SO₃) has 2 moles of gas.
- To decrease the pressure, the reaction will shift towards the side with more moles of gas, i.e., shift towards the side of the reactants.

- Conclusion: The equilibrium will shift to the reactants.

2. Add Catalyst:

- Effect on Equilibrium Position: A catalyst speeds up the rate at which equilibrium is achieved but does not change the position of the equilibrium.
- Conclusion: There will be no shift in equilibrium.

3. Add Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) Gas:

- Effect on Concentration: Adding more SO₂ increases the concentration of one of the reactants.
- Le Chatelier's Principle: The system will counteract this by shifting the equilibrium towards the side that consumes the added reactant, i.e., the product side.
- Conclusion: The equilibrium will shift to the products.

4. Remove Oxygen (O₂) Gas:

- Effect on Concentration: Removing O₂ decreases the concentration of one of the reactants.
- Le Chatelier's Principle: The system will counteract this by shifting the equilibrium towards the side that replenishes the removed reactant, i.e., the reactant side.
- Conclusion: The equilibrium will shift to the reactants.

### Summary:

- Shift to Reactants:
- Increase volume
- Remove oxygen gas

- Shift to Products:
- Add sulfur dioxide gas

- No Shift:
- Add catalyst

You can now place the actions into their respective categories based on these conclusions.