Question

For the reaction:
$CO\left(g\right)+H_{2}O\left(g\right)\leftrightharpoons C{O}_2\left(g\right)+H_2\left(g\right)$,
at a given temperature the equilibrium amount of $H_2$ can be increased by:

• A. Adding a suitable catalyst
• B. Adding an inert gas
• C. Decreasing the volume of the container
• D. Increasing the amount of $CO$

Answer 1

The correct option is D Increasing the amount of $CO$

Given,
$CO+\underset{\left(steam\right)}{H_{2}O}\leftrightharpoons C{O}_2+H_2$
Adding a suitable catalyst will increase the rate of the reaction but it will not increase the amount of $H_2$. Adding an inert gas and decreasing the volume of the container will also have no effect on the amount of $H_2$, since the volume in the reactant and product side of the equilibrium are equal.
Increasing the amount of $CO$ will shift the equilibrium towards right. That means more amount of $C{O}_2$ will be formed according to Le-Chatelier's principle.