Question

Dihydrogen gas is obtained from natural gas by partial oxidation with steam as per following endothermic reaction:
`CH_(4)(g)+H_(2)O(g) hArr CO(g)+3H_(2)(g)`
a. Write an expression for K_(p) for the above reaction.
b. How will the value of K_(p) and composition of equilibrium mixture be affected by
i. Increasing the pressure
ii. Increasing the temperature
iii. Using a catalyst?

Answer 1

(a) For the given reaction,
`K_(P) = (p_(CO) xx p_(H_(2))^(3))/(p_(CH_(4)) xx p_(H_(2)O))`
(b) (i) According to Le Chatelier’s principle, the equilibrium will shift in the backward direction.
(ii) According to Le Chatelier’s principle, as the reaction is endothermic, the equilibrium will shift in the forward direction.
(iii) The equilibrium of the reaction is not affected by the presence of a catalyst. A catalyst only increases the rate of a reaction. Thus, equilibrium will be attained quickly.