For each event, indicate how the concentration of each species in the chemical equation will then change to reach equilibrium. An up arrow indicates an increase in concentration, a down arrow indicates a decrease in concentration, and leaving it blank means there is no change in the concentration.
2CO(g)2CO(g)
++
O2(g)O2(g)
?–??–?
2CO2(g)2CO2(g)
increasing the concentration of COCO
increasing the concentration of CO2CO2
decreasing the volume of the system
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
For the reaction:
[
2 \text{CO} (g) + O_2 (g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \text{CO}_2 (g)
]
We are given the following changes:
- Increasing the concentration of CO (carbon monoxide):
According to Le Chatelier’s principle, if the concentration of a reactant is increased, the system will shift to the right to counteract this change by consuming more CO and O₂ to produce CO₂. Therefore, the concentration of CO will decrease, the concentration of O₂ will also decrease, and the concentration of CO₂ will increase. Changes:
- CO: Down arrow (↓)
- O₂: Down arrow (↓)
- CO₂: Up arrow (↑)
- Increasing the concentration of CO₂ (carbon dioxide):
When the concentration of a product (CO₂) is increased, the system will shift to the left to counterbalance this change by consuming CO₂ and producing more CO and O₂. Hence, CO₂ concentration will decrease, and CO and O₂ concentrations will increase. Changes:
- CO: Up arrow (↑)
- O₂: Up arrow (↑)
- CO₂: Down arrow (↓)
- Decreasing the volume of the system:
Decreasing the volume increases the pressure of the system. According to Le Chatelier’s principle, the system will shift toward the side with fewer gas molecules to reduce the pressure. In this case, the left side (2 CO + 1 O₂) has 3 gas molecules, while the right side (2 CO₂) has only 2 gas molecules. Therefore, the system will shift to the right, increasing the concentration of CO₂ while decreasing the concentrations of CO and O₂. Changes:
- CO: Down arrow (↓)
- O₂: Down arrow (↓)
- CO₂: Up arrow (↑)
Summary of Changes:
- Increasing CO concentration: CO ↓, O₂ ↓, CO₂ ↑
- Increasing CO₂ concentration: CO ↑, O₂ ↑, CO₂ ↓
- Decreasing volume: CO ↓, O₂ ↓, CO₂ ↑
Let me now generate an image summarizing these changes.
Here is the diagram illustrating the changes in the chemical equilibrium for the given reactions. The shifts in concentration of CO, O₂, and CO₂ are represented based on the changes in the system. Let me know if you’d like any modifications or further clarification!
