For a reaction that is exothermic in the forward direction, the equilibrium constant decreases as the temperature increases.

For a reaction that is endothermic in the forward direction, the equilibrium constant increases as the temperature increases. If a substance is added, the equilibrium tends to shift in the direction that will use up the added mixture If a substance is removed, the equilibrium tends to shift in the direction that will replace the substances removed Changing this factor can be very important industrial chemistry to increase the yield of substances they want

If the temperature increases: The equilibrium position of an exothermic reaction moves to the left. The equilibrium position of an endothermic reaction moves to the right.

If the temperature decreases: The equilibrium position of an exothermic reaction moves to the right. The equilibrium position of an endothermic reaction moves to the left.

The effect of a change in pressure on the equilibrium position of a mixture of gases depends on the reaction.

If there are more moles on the left hand side compared to the right hand side, then increasing the pressure, will move the equilibrium pressure to the right. Decreasing the pressure would have the opposite effect.

The effect of temperature changes

The effect of pressure changes

A change in pressure has no effect on the value of Kc

The effect of changing the reacting quantities

Application of Rates and Equilibrium

Production of Methanol

The effect of a catalyst

Industrial Processes

Catalysts affect the rate of reaction. Its effect is the same on both the forward and backward reaction in the equilibrium. The only result of the catalyst is that the system reaches equilibrium more quickly

C(s) + H2O(g) CO(g) + H2(g The forward reaction is endothermic so high temperatures move the equilibrium to the right to produce more products. There is an increase in entropy in the forward reaction as there are more gaseous molecules on the RHS. The reaction is carried out at normal pressure.

CO(g) + 2H2(g) CH3OH(g) Theoretically the maximum yield would be obtained at low temperatures as it is an exothermic reaction. In practice higher temperatures are used as the rate of reaction is quicker. A high pressure is also used

In industrial processes, the aim is to achieve a maximum yield at the minimum cost. High pressures require expensive reaction vessel. High temperatures use a lot of energy and are expensive. Also safety is important

Atom Economy = Mass of atoms of desired product Mass of atoms in reactants