Consider the esterification reaction below
C2H5OH +CH3COOH CH3COOC2H5 + H2O
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF
1. water is removed from the system?
2. More alcohol is introduced into the system?
a. the reaction will shift to the right.
b. The reaction will shift to the right.
1. If water is removed from the system, according to Le Chatelier's principle, the reaction will shift towards the right to compensate for the loss of water. This means that more ester will be formed. The equilibrium will be displaced in favor of the products because the removal of water reduces the concentration of the product, so the reaction proceeds in a direction that increases its concentration.
2. If more alcohol is introduced into the system, the reaction will shift towards the right to consume the excess reactant. This is also due to Le Chatelier's principle. By adding more alcohol, the equilibrium will be displaced towards the products to decrease the concentration of the alcohol. This will result in more ester being formed.
To get the answers to these questions, we use our understanding of chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier's principle. Le Chatelier's principle states that when a system at equilibrium is subjected to an external change (such as changes in concentration, temperature, and pressure), the system will adjust to minimize the effect of that change. In the case of the esterification reaction, removing water or adding more alcohol are external changes that affect the equilibrium. By considering how these changes would affect the concentrations of the reactants and products, we can predict the direction in which the equilibrium will shift and thus, the outcome of the reaction.