Question

For the equilibrium reaction, $H_{2}O\left(l\right)\rightleftharpoons H_{2}O\left(g\right)$, what happens, if pressure is increased.

• A. More water evaporates.
• B. Equilibrium shift in backward direction.
• C. No effect on equilibrium.
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B Equilibrium shift in backward direction.

For the equilibrium reaction, $H_{2}O\left(l\right)\rightleftharpoons H_{2}O\left(g\right)$, if pressure is increased, equilibrium shift in backward direction. The reaction is accompanied by increase in the number of moles of gaseous species from 0 to 1. Hence, the increase in pressure will try to decrease the number of moles by shifting the equilibrium in backward direction.