Dihydrogen gas is obtained from natural gas by partial oxidation with stream as per the following endothermic reaction.
`CH_(4)(g)+H_(2)O(g)hArrCO(g)+3H_(2)(g)`
a. Write an expression for `K_(p)` for the above reaction.
b. How will the values o `K_(p)` and composition of equilibrium mixture be affected by
(i) increasxing the pressure (ii) increasing the temperature (iii) using a catalyst?

Explanation

(a)`CH_4(g) + H_2O(g) hArr CO(g)+3H_2(g)`
`K_p=((p_(CO))xx(p_(H_2))^3)/((p_(CH_4))xxp_(H_2O))`
(b)(i)According to Le-Chatelier.s principle , with increases in pressure equilibrium will shift to the left to produce less number of moles.
(ii)Since the reaction is exothermic with increases in temperature equilibrium will shift to the backward direction (endothermic reaction )
(c) Equilibrium willnot be disturbed by using a catalyst . However, equilibruim will be attained quickly.