Coal burning plants release sulfur dioxide, a toxic gas, into the atmosphere. Nitrogen monoxide is released into the atmosphere via industrial processes and the combustion engine. Sulfur dioxide can also be produced in the atmosphere by the reaction of sulfur trioxide and nitrogen monoxide according to the following equilibrium.
SO₃ (g) + NO (g) + heat $\rightarrow$ SO₂ (g) + NO₂ (g)
Which of the following stresses will not shift the equilibrium to the right?

Question

Coal burning plants release sulfur dioxide, a toxic gas, into the atmosphere. Nitrogen monoxide is released into the atmosphere via industrial processes and the combustion engine. Sulfur dioxide can also be produced in the atmosphere by the reaction of sulfur trioxide and nitrogen monoxide according to the following equilibrium.
SO₃ (g) + NO (g) + heat

\rightarrow

SO₂ (g) + NO₂ (g)
Which of the following stresses will not shift the equilibrium to the right?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Decreasing the reaction chamber volume increases pressure, which shifts the equilibrium towards the side with fewer moles of gas. In this reaction, both sides have the same number of moles of gas, so pressure change does not affect the equilibrium position.

Coal Burning Plants Release Sulfur Dioxide, a Toxic Gas, into the Atmosphere