Question

Use the balanced equation for the exothermic reaction, N2 (g) + 3 H2 (g)----->2 NH3 (g), to answer the 4 questions below.

In which direction will the system shift when hydrogen is added? _____________

In which direction will the system shift when nitrogen is removed? _____________

In which direction will the system shift when ammonia is added? _____________

In which direction will the system shift when the temperature is increased? _____________

Answer 1

All these questions can be answered by Le Chatelier principle.

A. When hydrogen is added to this reaction, the reaction will shift in forward direction(product side) in order to consume the more no of reactants being added.

B. When nitrogen is removed reaction will shift backwards. In order to compensate for loss of amount of reactants the reaction has to proceed in backward direction.

C. Adding ammonia means increasing number of products,so reaction shifts backwards to consume ammonia in order to equalize the effect of adding product.

D. Increasing temperature of an exothermic reaction means adding more products to it. Thus the reaction would proceed backwards