This reaction is endothermic. C(s) + CO₂(g) ⇌ 2 CO(g) Predict the effect (shift right, shift left, or no effect) of increasing and decreasing the reaction temperature. How does the value of the equilibrium constant depend on temperature?

Key Concepts

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 temperature changes, increasing the temperature of an endothermic reaction will shift the equilibrium to the right, favoring the formation of products, while decreasing the temperature will shift it to the left, favoring the reactants.

Endothermic Reactions

Endothermic reactions absorb heat from their surroundings, resulting in a decrease in temperature of the environment. In the given reaction, the conversion of solid carbon and carbon dioxide gas into carbon monoxide gas requires heat input, which is why increasing the temperature will favor the production of CO, while decreasing it will hinder the reaction.

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. For endothermic reactions, increasing the temperature generally increases the value of K, indicating a greater concentration of products at equilibrium, while decreasing the temperature typically lowers K, favoring reactants.