Question

Nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures. N2(g) + O2(g) equilibrium reaction arrow 2 NO(g) ΔH = 182.6 kJ (a) What will happen to the concentrations of N2, O2, and NO at equilibrium if more O2 is added?

Answer 1

Answer: This will result in the increase of concentration of NO and decrease in the concentrations of nitrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Explanation:

The given chemical equation follows:

$N_2(g)+O_2(g)\rightleftharpoons 2NO(g);\Delta H=182.6kJ$

As, enthalpy of the reaction is positive. So, it is an endothermic reaction.

For an endothermic reaction, heat is getting absorbed during a chemical reaction and is written on the reactant side.

$A+\text{heat}\rightleftharpoons B$

Any change in the equilibrium is studied on the basis of Le-Chatelier's principle. This principle states that if there is any change in the variables of the reaction, the equilibrium will shift in the direction to minimize the effect.

If the concentration of oxygen gas is increased, the equilibrium will shift in the direction where the concentration of oxygen gas will be decreased. Thus, the reaction will shift in the right direction or forward direction.

Hence, this will result in the increase of concentration of NO and decrease in the concentrations of nitrogen gas and oxygen gas.