Match the action to the effect on the equilibrium position for the reaction N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)

Question

Match the action to the effect on the equilibrium position for the reaction N_2(g) + 3H_2(g) ⇌ 2NH_3(g). (3 points)

1.Adding a catalyst	a.Shift to the left
2.Adding hydrogen gas	b.Shift to the right
3.Decreasing the pressure	c.No effect

Answer 1

N2(g) + 3H2(g) <==> 2NH3

These questions are related to Le Chatelier's Principle.

1. Adding a catalyst - no effect. This is b/c a catalyst only increases the rate of reaction and doesn't alter the equilibrium.
2. Adding H2 gas - Shifts to the right. Adding a reactant (H₂) will shift the reaction away from the added perturbation in order to try to maintain the current equilibrium
3. Decrease the pressure - Shifts to the left. There are more moles of gas on the left (4 moles) than on the right (2 moles), so if you decrease the pressure, the system will try to increase the pressure to get back to the original state of equilibrium. It will do so by shifting to the side with more mores of gas.