In the reaction 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2SO3 (g), which change would cause the greatest increase in the concentration of SO3?
increase the concentration of s02
To determine which change would cause the greatest increase in the concentration of SO3, we need to identify the reaction condition that favors the forward reaction.
The forward reaction in this case is the production of SO3 from SO2 and O2. According to Le Chatelier's Principle, increasing the concentration of reactants or decreasing the concentration of products will favor the forward reaction.
Based on this principle, the following changes would cause an increase in the concentration of SO3:
1. Increase the concentration of SO2: This will shift the equilibrium towards the formation of SO3, resulting in an increase in the concentration of SO3.
2. Increase the concentration of O2: Since O2 is also a reactant in the forward reaction, increasing its concentration will push the equilibrium towards the formation of SO3, resulting in an increase in the concentration of SO3.
3. Decrease the concentration of SO3: According to Le Chatelier's Principle, decreasing the concentration of products will favor the forward reaction. So, removing SO3 as it forms will shift the equilibrium towards the forward reaction, resulting in an increase in the concentration of SO3.
Out of these three changes, increasing the concentration of SO2 or O2 will have the greatest impact on increasing the concentration of SO3. Removing SO3 as it forms will also increase the concentration of SO3, but its effect may not be as significant as increasing the concentrations of the reactants.
In conclusion, increasing the concentration of SO2 or O2 would cause the greatest increase in the concentration of SO3.
To determine which change would cause the greatest increase in the concentration of SO3 in the given chemical reaction, let's look at the reaction equation and analyze the stoichiometry of the reaction.
The balanced equation for the reaction is: 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) -> 2SO3 (g)
In this reaction, we can see that for every 2 moles of SO2 that react, we produce 2 moles of SO3. Therefore, the stoichiometric ratio between SO2 (reactant) and SO3 (product) is 1:1. This implies that the concentration of SO3 will increase in direct proportion to the amount of SO2 that is consumed and converted to SO3.
Now, let's consider the possible changes that could increase the concentration of SO3:
1. Increasing the concentration of SO2 (g): This would shift the reaction towards the formation of more SO3, resulting in an increased concentration of SO3.
2. Increasing the concentration of O2 (g): Since O2 is not directly involved in the production of SO3, increasing its concentration would not have a significant impact on the concentration of SO3.
3. Decreasing the concentration of SO3 (g): This change would create a concentration gradient favoring the formation of more SO3 to restore equilibrium. As a result, the reaction would shift towards the production of more SO3, leading to an increased concentration.
Based on the stoichiometry of the reaction and the possible changes, increasing the concentration of SO2 would cause the greatest increase in the concentration of SO3.