Question

Can someone walk me through this?
Coal can be used to generate hydrogen gas (a potential fuel) by this endothermic reaction. If this reaction mixture is at equilibrium, predict the effect (shift right, shift left, or no effect) of
C1s2 + H2 O1g2 -----> CO1g2 + H2 1g2
(a) Adding more C to the reaction mixture.
(b) Adding more H2O(g) to the reaction mixture.
(c) Raising the temperature of the reaction mixture.
(d) Increasing the volume of the reaction mixture.
(e) Adding a catalyst to the reaction

Answer 1

Le Chatelier's principle ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Chatelier's_principle) proposes that when a stress (\(\approx \)a change) is applied to a system, it [the system] will undergo a shift (reactans will become products or viceversa) to re-establish equilibrium.

There are good explanations online (like this one http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/equilibria/lechatelier.html)
on how the different stresses cause the concentrations to shift I wont rewrite what's already written. But do ask if you have doubts.

Answer 2

The links go messed up, but they're here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Chatelier's_principle
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/equilibria/lechatelier.html

Answer 3

ok so a) would be no shift because C is on both sides
b) left shift
c) Right Shift
d) left shift
e0 No effect

Answer 4

a) not quite, there is \(C_{(s)}\) on the left, but there is \(CO_{2~(s)}\) on the right, and thats not the same thing. It will shift right.

b) water vapour is on the left right? If you add more it will shift to the right.

c) \(\checkmark\)

d) Increasing the volume will shift the equilibrium to where there are more gas molecules. There are 2 gas molecules on the right and 1 on the left. So an increase in V will shift the eq. to the right.

e) \(\checkmark\)