Shift Equlibrium Concentrations Curves w/o Adding Stress

[tsaitea]

Hi guys,

I have been wondering if its possible to alter equilibrium concentrations without adding stress to the system?

Thanks,


Larry

 

[Borek]

Please elaborate.

 

[Keipi]

It depends on what you call 'stress'.

For everything that increases stress you can also do the opposite, and the reaction will shift to the opposite side as well. For example:

If you increase the pressure (add stress?) of a reaction, it will favor the side with fewer moles of gas. If you would do the opposite, decrease the pressure (reduce stress?) of a reaction, it will favor the side with the most moles of gas.

 

[tsaitea]

The definition of stress (at least in my case) is a change in temperature, pressure or concentration in the system. For concentration we are talking about adding concentration to the system as a stress.

I was thinking maybe we can reduce the volume to shift the equilibrium concentrations downwards.

 

[Keipi]

The definition of stress (at least in my case) is a change in temperature, pressure or concentration in the system. For concentration we are talking about adding concentration to the system as a stress.

I was thinking maybe we can reduce the volume to shift the equilibrium concentrations downwards.

You can reduce the volume to shift the equilibrium, if you reduce the volume you increase the pressure so that favors the side with fewer moles of gas.

 

[Borek]

How are you going to reduce a volume without applying a pressure (stress) to the system?