Chapter 16, Problem 16.135MP

One step in the commercial synthesis of sulfuric acid is the catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide:

     $2{\text{SO}}_{\text{2}}\left(g\right)+{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}\left(g\right)\rightleftharpoons 2{\text{SO}}_{\text{3}}\left(g\right)$

1. (a) A mixture of 192 g of SO₂, 48.0 g of O₂, and a V₂O₅ catalyst is heated to 800 K in a 15.0 L vessel. Use the data in Appendix B to calculate the partial pressures of SO₃, SO₂, and O₂ at equilibrium. Assume that ΔH° and ΔS° are independent of temperature.
2. (b) Does the percent yield of SO₃ increase or decrease on raising the temperature from 800 K to 1000 K? Explain.
3. (c) Does the total pressure increase or decrease on raising the temperature from 800 K to 1000 K? Calculate the total pressure (in atm) at 1000 K.