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Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 15, Problem 67

Ozone, O3, decomposes to molecular oxygen in the stratosphere according to the reaction 2 O3(𝑔) ⟢ 3 O2(𝑔). Would increasing the pressure by decreasing the size of the reaction vessel favor the formation of ozone or of oxygen?

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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 system will adjust to counteract the change and restore a new equilibrium. In the context of gas reactions, increasing pressure favors the side of the reaction with fewer moles of gas, as this reduces the overall pressure.
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Stoichiometry of the Reaction

The stoichiometry of a chemical reaction describes the quantitative relationship between the reactants and products. In the given reaction, 2 moles of ozone (O3) decompose to form 3 moles of oxygen (O2). This indicates that the product side has more moles of gas than the reactant side, which is crucial for understanding how changes in pressure will affect the reaction.
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Effect of Pressure on Gas Reactions

The effect of pressure on gas reactions is significant because gases occupy space and their behavior is influenced by changes in volume and pressure. According to the ideal gas law, increasing pressure by reducing the volume of the reaction vessel will shift the equilibrium towards the side with fewer gas molecules, which in this case is the reactants (ozone).
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