Which of the following would shift this reaction to the left?
N₂ (g) + 3H₂(g) ⇄ 2NH₃ (g) + energy
To shift the reaction to the left, you would need to either:
1. Remove some of the product, NH₃ (g), from the system.
2. Increase the concentration of the reactants, N₂ (g) and/or H₂(g).
3. Decrease the temperature, since the reaction is exothermic (releases energy) to the right; lowering the temperature will favor the reverse (endothermic) reaction, which will consume energy and form more reactants.