Chemical Equilibrium Chemistry Example 3

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Example 3

medium
For N2O4⇌2NO2\text{N}_2\text{O}_4 \rightleftharpoons 2\text{NO}_2, if additional N2O4\text{N}_2\text{O}_4 is added, which direction does the equilibrium shift? Apply Le Chatelier's principle.

Solution

  1. 1
    Adding more N2O4\text{N}_2\text{O}_4 increases the concentration of a reactant.
  2. 2
    By Le Chatelier's principle, the system shifts to reduce the disturbance — the equilibrium shifts right (toward products), producing more NO2\text{NO}_2.

Answer

Equilibrium shifts to the right (toward NO2)\text{Equilibrium shifts to the right (toward NO}_2\text{)}
Le Chatelier's principle predicts that a system at equilibrium will shift to partially counteract any change in conditions (concentration, pressure, or temperature).

About Chemical Equilibrium

A dynamic state in a reversible reaction where the forward and reverse reactions proceed at equal rates, so the macroscopic concentrations of reactants and products.

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More Chemical Equilibrium Examples

Example 1 easy

Explain what it means for a reaction to be at chemical equilibrium.

Example 2 medium

For the reaction [formula], at equilibrium [formula], [formula], and [formula]. Calculate [formula].

Example 4 medium

At equilibrium in a reversible reaction, have the reactions stopped? Explain what is equal at equili

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