Consider the reaction shown. What will happen if the pressure of the system is increased for this reaction? 2SO2(g) + O2(g) <--> 2SO3(g)

Question

The equilibrium will shift to the left.

The equilibrium will be permanently destroyed.

The equilibrium will not be affected.

The equilibrium will shift to the right.

Answer 1

The equilibrium will shift to the right. Le Chatelier's principle states that if a system at equilibrium is subjected to a stress, the system will adjust itself to relieve the stress. In this case, increasing the pressure will cause the system to shift in the direction that decreases the total number of gas molecules. Since there are fewer moles of gas on the right side of the equilibrium, shifting the equilibrium to the right will reduce the overall pressure of the system. Therefore, the equilibrium will shift to the right to reduce the pressure, producing more SO3 gas in the process.