A change in temperature of the equilibrium system below increases the value of the equilibrium constant. The new state of equilibrium was established by a shift ________.
CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇔ CH3OH(g) + 91 kJ
a) to the left due to a temperature increase
b) to the left due to a temperature decrease
c) to the right due to a temperature increase
d) to the right due to a temperature decrease
e) to the left and then to the right due to a temperature increase
c) to the right due to a temperature increase
are you sure?
I apologize for the previous incorrect response.
In the given equation, the forward reaction is exothermic, as indicated by the release of 91 kJ of heat. According to Le Chatelier's principle, increasing the temperature of an exothermic reaction will favor the reverse reaction in order to absorb the excess heat and decrease the temperature. Therefore, the equilibrium will shift to the left.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
b) to the left due to a temperature increase.
What is the correct answer?
Apologies for the confusion. The correct answer is:
b) to the left due to a temperature increase.
To determine the shift in equilibrium due to the change in temperature, we need to consider Le Chatelier's principle. According to Le Chatelier's principle, when a system at equilibrium is disturbed, it will shift in a way that counteracts the disturbance.
In this case, the reaction is accompanied by the release of heat (exothermic reaction). So, when the temperature of the system is increased, it is like adding more heat to the system. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the system will try to counteract this increase in temperature by shifting in the direction that absorbs heat.
To absorb heat, the reaction needs to shift to the left side because it is the side with fewer moles of gas. Looking at the balanced equation, we can see that there are fewer moles of gas on the left side (3 moles) compared to the right side (4 moles). Thus, increasing the temperature will cause the system to shift to the left, decreasing the concentration of CH3OH(g).
Therefore, the answer is:
a) to the left due to a temperature increase.