Question

Explain the effect on equilibrium of increasing pressure by decreasing volume

Answer 1

When we increase the pressure by decreasing volume, the number of gaseous molecules( or moles) per unit volume increases.

Now according to Le-Chatelier's principle, the reaction moves in such a direction where the number of moles decreases.

Hence the reaction moves in the side where gaseous moles decreases.

e.g:

N2(g) + 3H2(g) -----> 2NH3(g)

Here number of gaseous moles on reactant side = 1+3 = 4

number of gaseous moles on product side = 2

When we increase the pressure by decreasing volume, the reaction will move to product side. Because the product side has lesser number of gaseous moles.