The position of equilibrium

1 mark · Easy

State what happens to the position of equilibrium if the pressure is increased for a reaction in which the number of moles of gas is greater on the left side of the equation than on the right.

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The position of equilibrium shifts to the right.

Also accept: It shifts towards the side with fewer gas molecules.; The equilibrium moves to the right.

Common mistakes: Saying 'it increases/decreases' with no direction.; Saying 'it shifts to more moles'.

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Marking points

B1 · 1 mark · Correctly states that the equilibrium shifts to the side with fewer moles of gas (here, the right side).

Worked solution

Increasing the pressure causes the equilibrium to shift to the side with fewer moles of gas. Since the right side has fewer moles, it shifts to the right.