Photo AI
Methanol can be produced from the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, according to the following equation: CO(g) + 2H₂(g) ⇌ CH₃OH(g) ΔHᶦ = -90 kJ mol⁻¹ Which set of conditions will produce the maximum yield of methanol? A - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 12 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 12
Methanol can be produced from the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, according to the following equation: CO(g) + 2H₂(g) ⇌ CH₃OH(g) ΔHᶦ = -90 kJ mol⁻¹ Which... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Methanol can be produced from the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, according to the following equation: CO(g) + 2H₂(g) ⇌ CH₃OH(g) ΔHᶦ = -90 kJ mol⁻¹ Which set of conditions will produce the maximum yield of methanol? A - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 12 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which set of conditions will produce the maximum yield of methanol?
Answer
To determine the set of conditions that will produce the maximum yield of methanol, we need to consider Le Chatelier's principle and the reaction's exothermic nature.
Since the reaction is exothermic (ΔHᶦ = -90 kJ mol⁻¹), according to Le Chatelier's principle, lowering the temperature will shift the equilibrium to favor the production of methanol (the exothermic direction).
Additionally, since there are fewer moles of gas on the product side (1 mole of CH₃OH) compared to the reactant side (1 mole of CO and 2 moles of H₂, totaling 3 moles), increasing the pressure will also favor the production of methanol by shifting the equilibrium to the right.
Hence, the ideal conditions for maximum yield would be to apply high pressure and low temperature, which corresponds to option C.