Answer
(a) The volume does not affect equilibrium.
(b) We need to $increase$ the volume of the container.
Work Step by Step
Increasing the volume favors the side with more moles of gas.
Decreasing the volume favors the side with less moles of gas.
If we want to maximize product yield, we want to favor the products side, therefore:
- If the products have the less amount of moles, we decrease the volume, and vice-versa.
(a) Reactants: 4 moles of gas; Products: 4 moles of gas.
The volume does not affect equilibrium.
(b) Reactants: 1 mol of gas; Products: 2 moles of gas.
We need to increase the volume of the container.
