Does the number of moles of reaction products increase, decrease or remain same when each of the following equilibria is subjected to a decrease in pressure by increasing the volume? (a) (b) (c)
The number of moles of reaction products increases.
The number of moles of reaction products decreases.
The number of moles of reaction products remains the same.
Explanation
According to Le Chatelier's principle, when pressure is decreased by increasing the volume, the equilibrium shifts in the direction that has a larger number of gaseous moles. For reaction (a), the forward direction has more gaseous moles (2) than the backward direction (1), so the equilibrium shifts forward, increasing the products. For reaction (b), the backward direction has more gaseous moles (1) than the forward direction (0), so the equilibrium shifts backward, decreasing the products. For reaction (c), the number of gaseous moles is equal on both sides (4), so there is no shift in equilibrium.