Question:
Describe the effect of:
a) Addition of $\mathrm{H}_{2}$
b) Addition of $\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}$
c) Removal of CO
d) Removal of $\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}$
on the equilibrium of the reaction:
$2 \mathrm{H}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{CO}(\mathrm{g}) \longleftrightarrow \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}(\mathrm{g})$
Solution:
(a) According to Le Chatelier's principle, on addition of $\mathrm{H}_{2}$, the equilibrium of the given reaction will shift in the forward direction.
(b) On addition of $\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}$, the equilibrium will shift in the backward direction.
(c) On removing $\mathrm{CO}$, the equilibrium will shift in the backward direction.
(d) On removing $\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}$, the equilibrium will shift in the forward direction.