Question

what direction will the equilibrium shift when hcl is removed from the reaction below?
h₂(g) + cl₂(g) ⇌ 2hcl(g) + 184.6 j
shifts right or shifts to products shifts left or shifts to reactants

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a stress is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system will shift in a direction that relieves the stress. The stress here is the removal of \( \text{HCl} \) (a product).

Step2: Analyze the effect of removing a product

When a product (\( \text{HCl} \)) is removed from the equilibrium system \( \text{H}_2(\text{g}) + \text{Cl}_2(\text{g})
ightleftharpoons 2\text{HCl}(\text{g}) + 184.6 \text{ J} \), the system will try to replenish the removed product. To do this, the reaction will shift in the direction that produces more \( \text{HCl} \), which is the forward direction (towards the products). So the equilibrium will shift right (or towards the products).

Answer:

shifts right or shifts to products