Question

Predict the effect of removing h20 from the following equilibrium
SiO2(a) + 4HF (g) -SiF4 (g) + 2H 2O (g)

Answer 1

Removing H2O from the equilibrium will shift the equilibrium towards the right to produce more water. This is because the equilibrium constant Kc for this reaction is [SiF4][H2O]^2/ [SiO2][HF]^4. Thus, when H2O is removed, the concentration of water on the left side of the equation is reduced, leading to a decrease in the numerator of Kc. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the system will shift towards the right to try to restore equilibrium by producing more water. This means that the concentration of SiF4 and HF will increase while the concentration of SiO2 will decrease.