What would happen if product methanol was added to the equilibrium?
The equilibrium can be recovered by the formation of CO and H2. The addition of a substance to one side of an equilibrium results in an increase in materials on the opposite side. What would happen if product methanol was removed from the equilibrium? The decrease in methanol would cause CO and H2 to form methanol to replace the amount removed. The forward rate would temporarily be greater than the reverse rate. The formation of methanol would occur faster than its decomposition. The amount of product would go up to replace what was removed. Effect of pressure changes: Usually only reactions involving gases are altered by pressure changes. Gas pressure results from gas molecules banging against the walls of the container. If you handle gases you know that gas molecules “seek” low pressure. Compressed gas “escapes” high pressure in a balloon or out of a tire valve stem. Low pressure also goes with fewer molecules of gas. If the pressure is on an equilibrium is increased the system will
