- Messages
- 500
- Reaction score
- 425
- Points
- 73
In the manufacture of sulfuric acid the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g) usually takes place at 400 °C and 1 atm pressure. In one industrial plant, it is decided to change the pressure to
20 atm
What will be the consequences of this change
1 increased running costs
2 an increased percentage of sulfur trioxide in the equilibrium mixture
3 the rate of the backward reaction increases
The answer is A which 1,2 and 3 are correct
But how the rate of the backward reaction increases? I thought it should be decreases?
This question is a bit confusing one
From the examination report
Question 35: The correct answer was A. The most commonly chosen incorrect answer was B. This suggests that for most candidates their choice of answer rested on the truth or otherwise of choice 3. If the operating pressure is increased for a process in which all reactants and products are gases then both the rate of the forward reaction and the rate of the backward reaction will increase, although by different amounts.
