Question State Le Chateliers principle.

For the reaction: N2O4 (g) 2NO2 (g) ; H positive

1.

State the change in equilibrium when i. temperature is increased. ii. pressure is increased. iii. catalyst is present. 2. Consider the following reaction: N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) 2NH3 (g) ; H = -91.62 kJ

[5M]

Predict and explain the direction of the equilibrium when i. temperature is increased. ii. N2 is added. iii. pressure is increased. iv. NH3 is removed from the system.

[ 8 M]

Answer
1. Le Chateliers principle: If a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change of pressure, temperature or the number of moles of a component, there will be a tendency for a net reaction in the direction that reduces the effect of this change. [2 M] i. Equilibrium position will shift to right. [1 M] ii. Equilibrium position will shift to left. [1 M] iii. No change in equilibrium position. [1 M]

2.

i. Temperature increase Increase in temperature of an exothermic reaction means additional heat is added. The system respond by forming more reactants, so as to partially absorb the added heat. As a result, the equilibrium is shifted toward reactant (left). [2 M] ii. N2 is added Adding N2 will make concentration of N2 increase immediately. In order to counteract this change, the equilibrium position will shift to the right in order to decrease N2. [2 M] iii. Pressure increase The position of equilibrium will shift in the direction that lower the number of gas particles, to partially offset the increase in pressure. Since there are more mole of N2 and H2, the equilibrium position will be shifted toward the right (product). [2 M]

iv. NH3 is removed from the system When NH3 is removed from the system, the equilibrium tends to adjust to minimize the effect of the stress. That is, the system would move towards increasing the quantity of NH3 in order to reach a new equilibrium position. As such, the reaction would move toward the right until equilibrium is achieved again. [2 M]