Method for getting correct answer? Thank you!
The reaction below is an endothermic reaction. What would one have to do to shift the equilibrium to the right?
SO2Cl2(g)↔SO2(g) + Cl2(g)
a. Decrease the temperature
b. Increase the temperature
c. Remove some reactant
d. An inert gas is added to the reaction mixture
Put that endothermic part into the equation so you can see how it affects the reaction.
SO2Cl2 + heat ==> SO2 + Cl2
Le Chatelier's Principle says that when we do something to a reaction that is in equilibrium that the reaction will shift so as to undo what we've done to it. So if we want it to shift to the right we can
a. add SO2Cl2 which will make it shift to the right so as to use up what we've added.
b. Remove SO2 it will shift to the right to increase SO2.
c. Remove Cl2. Same reason as b.
d. If we increase pressure it will shift to the side with fewer mols which means to the left so if we decrease pressure it will shift to the right.
e. Add heat. Adding heat will make it shift to the right so as to use up the added heat. Cooling the reaction obviously makes it shift to the left.
Thank you for the help!
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand how Le Chatelier's principle applies to this reaction. Le Chatelier's principle states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, it will shift in a direction that reduces the disturbance.
In order to shift the equilibrium to the right, which means favoring the formation of products, we need to consume more reactants and produce more products. Let's evaluate each answer choice:
a. Decrease the temperature: If the reaction is endothermic and we decrease the temperature, the reaction will shift to the right to absorb the heat. Therefore, this answer choice would shift the equilibrium to the right.
b. Increase the temperature: If the reaction is endothermic and we increase the temperature, the reaction will shift to the left to absorb the excessive heat. Therefore, this answer choice would not shift the equilibrium to the right.
c. Remove some reactant: By removing some reactant, we are decreasing the concentration of the reactant. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the system will shift in a direction that replenishes the concentration of the reactant. So, removing the reactant would shift the equilibrium to the left, not to the right.
d. An inert gas is added to the reaction mixture: Adding an inert gas to the reaction mixture does not affect the equilibrium because an inert gas does not participate in the reaction. The volume or pressure of the system remains the same, so this answer choice would not shift the equilibrium to the right.
Based on our analysis, the correct answer is: a. Decrease the temperature.
Remember that this explanation outlines the reasoning behind the correct answer and how to arrive at it using Le Chatelier's principle.