NVAEasyJEE 2023Le Chatelier's Principle

JEE Chemistry 2023 Question with Solution

Consider the following equation: 2SO2(g)+O2(g)2SO3(g),ΔH=190kJ2SO_2\text{(g)} + O_2\text{(g)} \rightleftharpoons 2SO_3\text{(g)}, \Delta H = -190 \, \text{kJ} The number of factors which will increase the yield of SO3SO_3 at equilibrium from the following is _____

Answer

Correct answer:3

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: 2SO2(g)+O2(g)2SO3(g)2SO_2\text{(g)} + O_2\text{(g)} \rightleftharpoons 2SO_3\text{(g)} with ΔH=190kJ\Delta H = -190 \, \text{kJ}

Find: The number of factors that increase the equilibrium yield of SO3SO_3.

Using Le Chatelier's principle:

  • Increasing pressure shifts the equilibrium toward the side with fewer moles of gaseous species. Here, the left side has 33 moles of gas and the right side has 22 moles of gas, so the equilibrium shifts to the right.
  • Adding more SO2SO_2 increases the reactant concentration, so the equilibrium shifts toward products.
  • Adding more O2O_2 also increases the reactant concentration, so the equilibrium shifts toward products.

Thus, the factors are B, C, and D.

Therefore, the required number of factors is 33.

Le Chatelier Principle Breakdown

Given: The reaction is

2SO2(g)+O2(g)2SO3(g)2SO_2\text{(g)} + O_2\text{(g)} \rightleftharpoons 2SO_3\text{(g)}

and the process is exothermic with ΔH=190kJ\Delta H = -190 \, \text{kJ}.

Find: How many listed factors increase the yield of SO3SO_3 at equilibrium.

Check each factor mentioned in the solution:

  1. For pressure, compare gaseous moles:
Left side moles=2+1=3,Right side moles=2\text{Left side moles} = 2 + 1 = 3, \qquad \text{Right side moles} = 2

An increase in pressure favors the side with fewer gas moles, so it increases SO3SO_3.

  1. For adding SO2SO_2, increasing a reactant concentration makes the system consume the added reactant by shifting right.

  2. For adding O2O_2, the same argument applies; the equilibrium shifts right to form more SO3SO_3.

Hence, exactly three factors increase the yield of SO3SO_3.

The final answer is 33.

Common mistakes

  • Students often ignore the change in total gaseous moles and conclude that pressure has no effect. This is wrong because the reaction goes from 33 moles of gas to 22 moles of gas. Compare total gaseous moles on both sides before applying Le Chatelier's principle.

  • A common mistake is to focus only on ΔH\Delta H and start discussing temperature, even though the extracted solution identifies pressure and addition of reactants as the relevant factors. Use only the listed factors being tested.

  • Some students think adding a reactant disturbs equilibrium without changing product yield. This is wrong because increasing the concentration of SO2SO_2 or O2O_2 shifts equilibrium toward products to consume the added reactant.

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