Consider the reaction 4 NH3(π) + 5 O2(π) β 4 NO(π) + 6 H2O(π), Ξπ» = β904.4 kJ Does each of the following increase, decrease, or leave unchanged the yield of NO at equilibrium? (a) increase [NH3] (b) increase [H2O] (c) decrease [O2]
Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 15, Problem 62f
Consider the reaction 4 NH3(π) + 5 O2(π) β 4 NO(π) + 6 H2O(π), Ξπ» = β904.4 kJ Does each of the following increase, decrease, or leave unchanged the yield of NO at equilibrium? (f) increase temperature.

1
Identify the type of reaction: The given reaction is exothermic, as indicated by the negative \( \Delta H = -904.4 \) kJ.
Apply Le Chatelier's Principle: In an exothermic reaction, increasing the temperature will shift the equilibrium position to favor the endothermic direction, which is the reverse reaction in this case.
Determine the effect on NO yield: Since the equilibrium shifts towards the reactants (reverse reaction), the yield of NO will decrease.
Consider the overall impact: Increasing temperature in an exothermic reaction generally decreases the yield of products formed in the forward reaction.
Conclude: Therefore, increasing the temperature will decrease the yield of NO at equilibrium.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Le Chatelier's Principle
Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the position of equilibrium shifts to counteract the change. In the context of temperature changes, if the reaction is exothermic (releases heat), increasing the temperature will shift the equilibrium to favor the reactants, thereby decreasing the yield of products.
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Exothermic Reactions
An exothermic reaction is one that releases energy in the form of heat. In the given reaction, the negative ΞH value indicates that it is exothermic. When the temperature is increased, the system will respond by favoring the endothermic direction (the reverse reaction) to absorb the added heat, which reduces the production of NO.
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Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
Equilibrium Constant (K)
The equilibrium constant (K) quantifies the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. Changes in temperature can alter the value of K, affecting the position of equilibrium. For exothermic reactions, increasing temperature decreases K, leading to a lower concentration of products like NO at equilibrium.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Textbook Question
Consider the reaction 4 NH3(π) + 5 O2(π) β 4 NO(π) + 6 H2O(π), Ξπ» = β904.4 kJ Does each of the following increase, decrease, or leave unchanged the yield of NO at equilibrium? (d) decrease the volume of the container in which the reaction occurs
Textbook Question
Consider the reaction 4 NH3(π) + 5 O2(π) β 4 NO(π) + 6 H2O(π), Ξπ» = β904.4 kJ Does each of the following increase, decrease, or leave unchanged the yield of NO at equilibrium? (e) add a catalyst
Textbook Question
Consider the following equilibrium between oxides of nitrogen 3 NO(g) β NO2(g) + N2O(g) (a) At constant temperature, would a change in the volume of the container affect the fraction of products in the equilibrium mixture?