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CHEMISTRY, M5 2023 HSC 33

Gases and are placed in a closed container of variable volume, as shown.

The reaction between these substances is as follows.

The following graph shows changes in the amounts (in mol) of these three substances over time in this container.
 

  1. Explain what is happening in this system between 6 minutes and 8 minutes.  (2 marks)
  1. Explain TWO different factors that could result in the disturbance at 8 minutes.  (4 marks)
Show Answers Only

a.   Between 6 and 8 minutes:

→ The system is in equilibrium.

→ The horizontal lines of each reactant in the graph indicate that the amount of reactants and products remain constant and hence the forward and reverse reactions are proceeding at the same rate.
 

b.    After 8 minutes is consumed, and and are produced. 

Factor 1:

→ An increase in temperature that decreases the equilibrium constant, .

→ In this case, the reaction quotient will be greater than . This will result in being consumed and and being produced until approaches and the system reaches equilibrium again.

Factor 2:

→ Increase in volume of the container.

→ This will increase the reaction quotient while stays the same. Again, this will cause to be consumed and and to be produced until approaches and the system reaches equilibrium again.

Show Worked Solution

a.   Between 6 and 8 minutes:

→ The system is in equilibrium.

→ The horizontal lines of each reactant in the graph indicate that the amount of reactants and products remain constant and hence the forward and reverse reactions are proceeding at the same rate.
 

b.    After 8 minutes is consumed, and and are produced. 

Factor 1:

→ An increase in temperature that decreases the equilibrium constant, .

→ In this case, the reaction quotient will be greater than . This will result in being consumed and and being produced until approaches and the system reaches equilibrium again.

Factor 2:

→ Increase in volume of the container.

→ This will increase the reaction quotient while stays the same. Again, this will cause to be consumed and and to be produced until approaches and the system reaches equilibrium again.

CHEMISTRY, M5 2016 HSC 14 MC

Consider the following endothermic reaction taking place in a closed vessel.

Which of the following actions would cause more to be produced?

  1. Adding a catalyst
  2. Decreasing the volume
  3. Decreasing the pressure
  4. Increasing the temperature
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Show Worked Solution

→ By decreasing the volume, the equilibrium will shift to the left so that less gas molecules are present (Le Chatelier’s principle).

CHEMISTRY, M5 2017 HSC 16 MC

The following equilibrium is established in a closed system.

How can the gas pressure in the system be decreased?

  1. Add more
  2. Add hydroxide ions to the solution
  3. Decrease the volume of the container
  4. Increase the temperature of the system
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Show Worked Solution

→ Gas pressure can be decreased if the equilibrium shifts to the right.

→ If hydroxide ions are added to the solution by adding NaOH, this will neutralise the carbonic acid and cause an equilibrium shift to the right.


♦♦ Mean mark 32%.

CHEMISTRY, M5 2022 HSC 14 MC

Nitrogen dioxide can react with itself to produce dinitrogen tetroxide.

In an experiment, 100.0 cm³ of is placed in a syringe. The plunger is then pushed in until the volume is 50.0 cm³, while maintaining a constant temperature. The system is allowed to return to equilibrium.

Which statement is true for the system at equilibrium?

  1. The value of has increased.
  2. The ratio has decreased.
  3. The concentration of has decreased.
  4. The concentrations of and have doubled.
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Show Worked Solution

→ As the volume is decreased, the pressure increases. According to Le Chatelier’s Principle, the equilibrium will shift toward the right with fewer moles of gas in order to counteract the change in equilibrium (ie decrease pressure).

→ As a result, will increase and will decrease.

→ Therefore, will decrease.


♦♦ Mean mark 35%.