At 450°C, tert-butyl alcohol decomposes into water and isobutene. (CH₃) ₃COH(g) (CH₃) ₂CCH₂(g) + H₂O(g)
A reaction vessel contains these compounds at equilibrium. What will happen if the volume of the container is reduced by 50% at constant temperature?

Question

At 450°C, tert-butyl alcohol decomposes into water and isobutene. (CH₃) ₃COH(g)

At 450°C, tert-butyl alcohol decomposes into water and isobutene. (CH<sub>3</sub>) <sub>3</sub>COH(g) (CH<sub>3</sub>) <sub>2</sub>CCH<sub>2</sub>(g) + H<sub>2</sub>O(g) A reaction vessel contains these compounds at equilibrium. What will happen if the volume of the container is reduced by 50% at constant temperature? A) The forward reaction will proceed to reestablish equilibrium. B) The reverse reaction will proceed to reestablish equilibrium. C) No change occurs. D) The equilibrium constant will increase. E) The equilibrium constant will decrease.

(CH₃) ₂CCH₂(g) + H₂O(g)
A reaction vessel contains these compounds at equilibrium. What will happen if the volume of the container is reduced by 50% at constant temperature?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the volume of the container is reduced, the concentration of all the compounds will increase. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the system will shift in a direction that opposes the change. In this case, the system will shift in the direction that reduces the number of gas molecules because the volume is decreased. Since the reverse reaction involves the formation of a gas molecule, the system will shift to the reverse reaction to decrease the number of gas molecules and reestablish equilibrium. Therefore, the reverse reaction will proceed to reestablish equilibrium.

At 450°C, Tert-Butyl Alcohol Decomposes into Water and Isobutene