Chromate ions react according to the following equation, where the left side of the reaction is yellow and the right side is orange.
CrO42– + 2H+ ⇄ Cr2O72– + H2O
A student adds sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the solution at equilibrium. In one to two sentences, describe and explain any changes to the solution that the student will observe.
(2 points)
1 answer
The student will observe the color of the solution changing from orange to yellow as more chromate ions (CrO42–) are formed. This is because the addition of sodium hydroxide will shift the equilibrium to the left, favoring the formation of chromate ions over dichromate ions.