Question

Does the amount of methanol increase, decrease, or remain the same when an equilibrium mixture of reactants and products is subjected to the following changes?
a. the catalyst is removed
b. the temp is increased
c. the volume is decreased
d. helium is added
e. CO is added

Answer 1

Answer:

a. Methanol remains the same

b. Methanol decreases

c. Methanol increases

d. Methanol remains the same

e. Methanol increases

Explanation:

Methanol is produced by the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst as follows; 2H2+CO→CH3OH.

a) The presence or absence of a catalyst makes no difference on the equilibrium position of the system hence the methanol remains constant.

b) The amount of methanol decreases because the equilibrium position shifts towards the left and more reactants are formed since the reaction is exothermic.

c) If the volume is decreased, there will be more methanol in the system because the equilibrium position will shift towards the right hand side.

d) Addition of helium gas has no effect on the equilibrium position since it does not participate in the reaction system.

e) if more CO is added the amount of methanol increases since the equilibrium position will shift towards the right hand side.