Phosgene (COCl2\text{COCl}_2COCl2) is an important industrial chemical used in the manufacture of polyurethane plastics. It is synthesized via the reversible reaction of carbon monoxide with chlorine gas:
CO(g)+Cl2(g)⇌COCl2(g) \text{CO(g)} + \text{Cl}_2\text{(g)} \rightleftharpoons \text{COCl}_2\text{(g)} CO(g)+Cl2(g)⇌COCl2(g)In a chemical plant, this reaction is typically operated at a pressure of 4.5 bar4.5\text{ bar}4.5 bar to establish a dynamic equilibrium.
Explain the effect on the rate of attainment of equilibrium if the process is carried out at a lower pressure of 1.5 bar1.5\text{ bar}1.5 bar.
38 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry 5.2 Reversible reactions and equilibria, covering 5.2.1 Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium, 5.2.2 The Haber process, and 5.2.3 Changing the position of a dynamic equilibrium. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.