Question

Why does the equilibrium of a gaseous system shift when the pressure is increased?
A. To increase the total moles of gas in the system
B. To stop restoring equilibrium to the system
C. To decrease the total moles of gas in the system
D. To maximize the stress on the system

Answer 1

The correct option is:

C. To decrease the total moles of gas in the system.

• The following case is based on Le Chatelier's Principle which states that the equilibrium will shift to the direction having less number of moles to relieve the stress in the system.
• Since, there are more moles of gas in reactant side and less in product side the position of equilibrium shifts to the products side, having less moles of gas.
• This process thereby happens to reduce the stress in the system, thereby decreasing the increasing pressure in the system.

Answer 2

Answer:

To decrease the total moles of gas in the system