Moles of Gas affecting shift in equilibrium

$\Delta U=q+w$

MackenziePerillo-1L
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:19 am

Moles of Gas affecting shift in equilibrium

Can anyone clarify how equilibrium can shift when pressure is increased in a reaction involving different amounts of moles of gas making up the products and reactants?

Michael Torres 4I
Posts: 92
Joined: Thu May 10, 2018 3:00 am
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Re: Moles of Gas affecting shift in equilibrium

When you have a certain amount of moles present in some equilibrium reaction per the different reactants and products involved, you will have a certain equilibrium constant. Because of PV=nRT, this also applies to gas pressure under ideal conditions.

What this means is that if the number of units of pressure on either side of the gas equilibrium reaction equation is changed, a new reaction quotient will be established. The system will try to shift back to its original equilibrium since now it will no longer be at equilibrium, thereby triggering the shift which you just described. Comparing the number of moles of gas on either side of the reaction formula is a shortcut for this process.