Question

Is condensation an exothermic or endothermic process? Based on Le Cha^telier’s principle, would you predict the vapor pressure of a gas will increase or decrease as the temperature decreases?

Answer 1

Explanation:

A process in which water vapor changes into liquid state is known as condensation. As we know that when energy is released in a reaction then it is known as exothermic reaction and when energy is absorbed in a reaction then it is known as endothermic reaction.

As vapors have high energy so, when they change into liquid state then heat energy is released by them. Therefore, condensation is an exothermic reaction.

As per Le Chatelier's principle, any disturbance caused in an equilibrium reaction will tend to shift the equilibrium in a direction away from the disturbance.

So, when there will occur a decrease in temperature then molecules of a gas will come closer to each other. Hence, there will also occur a decrease in vapor pressure of the gas.