The water gas shift reaction shown below can be used to produce hydrogen from water and coal. Given the data in the following table, which experiment will proceed in the forward direction to produce more hydrogen? Under the experimental conditions, K_c = 25 for this reaction.
H₂O(g) + CO(g) $\leftrightarrows$ H₂(g) + CO₂(g)
Initial Concentrations (mol/L) $\begin{array} { | c | c | c | c | c | } \hline \text { Experiment } & { \left[ \mathrm { H } _ { 2 } \mathrm { O } \right] } & { [ \mathrm { CO } ] } & { \left[ \mathrm { H } _ { 2 } \right] } & { \left[ \mathrm { CO } _ { 2 } \right] } \\\hline \text { I } & 0.030 & 0.030 & 0 & 0 \\\hline \text { II } & 0 & 0 & 0.030 & 0.030 \\\hline \text { III } & 0.020 & 0.020 & 0.050 & 0.040 \\\hline \text { IV } & 0.030 & 0.020 & 0.030 & 0.020 \\\hline\end{array}$

Question

The water gas shift reaction shown below can be used to produce hydrogen from water and coal. Given the data in the following table, which experiment will proceed in the forward direction to produce more hydrogen? Under the experimental conditions, K_c = 25 for this reaction.
H₂O(g) + CO(g)

\leftrightarrows

H₂(g) + CO₂(g)
Initial Concentrations (mol/L)

\begin{array} { | c | c | c | c | c | } \hline \text { Experiment } & { \left[ \mathrm { H } _ { 2 } \mathrm { O } \right] } & { [ \mathrm { CO } ] } & { \left[ \mathrm { H } _ { 2 } \right] } & { \left[ \mathrm { CO } _ { 2 } \right] } \\\hline \text { I } & 0.030 & 0.030 & 0 & 0 \\\hline \text { II } & 0 & 0 & 0.030 & 0.030 \\\hline \text { III } & 0.020 & 0.020 & 0.050 & 0.040 \\\hline \text { IV } & 0.030 & 0.020 & 0.030 & 0.020 \\\hline\end{array}

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction will proceed in the forward direction when the reaction quotient (Q) is less than the equilibrium constant (K). Q is calculated using the initial concentrations of the reactants and products. For experiment I, Q = 0, which is less than K = 25. For experiment III, Q = 0.25, which is also less than K. For experiment IV, Q = 0.33, which is still less than K. Therefore, experiments I, III, and IV will all proceed in the forward direction to produce more hydrogen.

The Water Gas Shift Reaction Shown Below Can Be Used ⇆\leftrightarrows⇆

The Water Gas Shift Reaction Shown Below Can Be Used $\leftrightarrows$