REVERSIBLE

REACTIONS AND Class 2 – Factors

affecting equilibrium
EQUILIBRIUM
EFFECT OF PRESSURE
The effect of pressure on a dynamic equilibrium
• applies only to gaseous reactions
• depends on the amount of reactants and products shown in the equation

•In general,
•An increase in pressure will shift the position of equilibrium in the direction where there is a
smaller number of moles of gases, so as to decrease the pressure of the system and establish
equilibrium again.
•A decrease in pressure will have the opposite effect and will shift the position of equilibrium in
the direction where there is a larger number of moles of gases, so as to increase the pressure of
the system and establish equilibrium again.
EFFECT OF PRESSURE
For example:
N2(g) + 3 H2(g) (reversible half arrow) 2 NH3 (g)
1 mol + 3 mol 2 mol
= 4 mol 2 mol

An increase in pressure will favour the forward reaction towards the formation of more
ammonia gas since the position of equilibrium shifts towards the direction in which
there is less moles of gas.
Classwork: state and explain what happens if the pressure is decreased for the same
system.
EFFECT OF PRESSURE
CLASSWORK – QUESTION 2
Consider the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate
CaCO3 (s) (reversible arrows) CaO (s) + CO2(g)
(a) Explain what happens if the pressure is increased while temperature is kept
constant.
(b) Explain what happens if the pressure is decreased while temperature is kept
constant.
(c) Explain what happens if the size of the reaction vessel is increased while other
conditions are kept constant.
EFFECT OF PRESSURE