The reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) <--> 2sO3(g) is exothermic. What will happen to the concentration of sulfur dioxide if the temperature of the system is increased?
1 answer
According to Le Chatelier’s principle, increasing the temperature will shift the equilibrium in the endothermic direction in order to counteract the temperature increase. In this case, the forward reaction (which is exothermic) is the direction that will most effectively counteract the temperature increase. Therefore, the concentration of sulfur dioxide will decrease as it is being consumed to form more sulfur trioxide in order to maintain equilibrium.