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Ch.16 - Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 16, Problem 68c

Consider this reaction at equilibrium: 2 BrNO(g) ⇌ 2 NO(g) + Br2(g) Predict whether the reaction will shift left, shift right, or remain unchanged after each disturbance. c. Br2 is removed from the reaction mixture.

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Identify the reaction and the change made to the system: The reaction given is 2 BrNO(g) ⇌ 2 NO(g) + Br2(g), and the disturbance is the removal of Br2 from the reaction mixture.
Recall Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, the system will adjust itself to counteract the disturbance and restore a new equilibrium.
Analyze the effect of removing Br2: Removing Br2 decreases its concentration in the reaction mixture.
Predict the shift in reaction: According to Le Chatelier's Principle, to counteract the decrease in Br2 concentration, the reaction will shift towards the products side to produce more Br2.
Conclude that the reaction will shift to the right, towards the formation of more NO(g) and Br2(g), in response to the removal of Br2.

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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. This means that if a reactant or product is added or removed, the system will adjust to restore equilibrium, favoring the side that can compensate for the disturbance.
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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 concentration, pressure, or temperature can affect the value of K, indicating how the equilibrium position shifts in response to disturbances in the system.
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Reaction Quotient (Q)

The reaction quotient (Q) is a measure of the relative concentrations of products and reactants at any point in time, not just at equilibrium. By comparing Q to K, one can predict the direction in which the reaction will shift to reach equilibrium. If Q is less than K, the reaction will shift right to produce more products; if Q is greater than K, it will shift left to produce more reactants.
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