Q.State Le-Chatelier's principle. Give two examples of its application in chemical industries. OR Explain the term Ionic product of water and pH value. How does the former change with temperature? What is pH scale?
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Le-Chatelier's principle states that a system at equilibrium, when disturbed, shifts in whichever direction opposes the disturbance; it is used industrially to maximise product yield, e.g. in the Haber process and the Contact process.
Statement: Le-Chatelier's principle states that if a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in concentration, pressure, volume, or temperature, the system readjusts (shifts) itself in such a way as to counteract (partially nullify) the effect of that change, and a new state of equilibrium is established.
Two examples of its application in chemical industries:
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Haber process (synthesis of ammonia):
N2(g) + 3H2(g) <=> 2NH3(g) (forward reaction is exothermic)
Since the forward reaction produces fewer gas moles (4 moles of reactant gas -> 2 moles of product gas) and releases heat, Le-Chatelier's principle predicts that high pressure (shifts equilibrium towards the side with fewer moles, i.e. towards NH3) and low temperature (shifts equilibrium towards the exothermic/forward direction) favour a higher yield of ammonia. In practice, a moderately high temperature (~700K) is used as a compromise with reaction rate, along with high pressure (~200 atm) and a catalyst.
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Contact process (manufacture of sulphuric acid):
2SO2(g) + O2(g) <=> 2SO3(g) (forward reaction is exothermic) …
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