Question
Consider the graph of concentration vs time shown below for the reaction:
2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)
Show what changes would occur in the concentrations of all three species if the volume of the reaction vessel was suddenly increased.
2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)
Show what changes would occur in the concentrations of all three species if the volume of the reaction vessel was suddenly increased.
Answers
GPT 3.5
If the volume of the reaction vessel is suddenly increased, the concentrations of all three species will decrease.
According to Le Chatelier's principle, when the volume of a system is increased, the system will try to minimize the effect of the change by shifting in the direction that produces fewer gas molecules. In this reaction, the total number of moles of gas on the left side is 3 (2 moles of SO2 + 1 mole of O2), while the total number of moles of gas on the right side is 2 (2 moles of SO3). Therefore, the reaction will shift to the left to decrease the total number of moles of gas.
As the reaction shifts to the left, the concentrations of SO2, O2, and SO3 will all decrease. The decrease in concentration will be more significant for the products (SO3) compared to the reactants (SO2 and O2) as the reaction shifts to the left to decrease the gas concentration.
Overall, the concentrations of all three species will decrease if the volume of the reaction vessel is suddenly increased.
According to Le Chatelier's principle, when the volume of a system is increased, the system will try to minimize the effect of the change by shifting in the direction that produces fewer gas molecules. In this reaction, the total number of moles of gas on the left side is 3 (2 moles of SO2 + 1 mole of O2), while the total number of moles of gas on the right side is 2 (2 moles of SO3). Therefore, the reaction will shift to the left to decrease the total number of moles of gas.
As the reaction shifts to the left, the concentrations of SO2, O2, and SO3 will all decrease. The decrease in concentration will be more significant for the products (SO3) compared to the reactants (SO2 and O2) as the reaction shifts to the left to decrease the gas concentration.
Overall, the concentrations of all three species will decrease if the volume of the reaction vessel is suddenly increased.