Chapter 14, Problem 14.90QP

A 2.0-L reaction flask initially contains 0.010 mol CO, 0.80 mol H₂, and 0.50 mol CH₃OH (methanol). If this mixture is brought in contact with a zinc oxide chromium(III) oxide catalyst, the equilibrium

$\text{CO}(g)+2{\text{H}}_2(g)\stackrel{}{\rightleftharpoons }{\text{CH}}_3\text{OH}(g)$

is attained. The equilibrium constant K_c for this reaction at 300°C is 1.1 × 10⁻². What is the direction of reaction (forward or reverse) as the mixture attains equilibrium?