Chemical equilibrium experiment. Image 2 of 2. Student applying pressure to a sealed syringe full of a mixture of nitrogen dioxide (NO2, a brown gas)

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Chemical equilibrium experiment. Image 2 of 2. Student applying pressure to a sealed syringe full of a mixture of nitrogen dioxide (NO2, a brown gas) and dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4, a colourless liquid). These chemicals exist in a dissociative equilibrium, with two molecules of NO2 combining to form a molecule of N2O4, and vice versa. Changes in temperature and pressure change the equilibrium. Here, the student has applied pressure, forcing the equilibrium to the N2O4 side (as that has fewer molecules and less pressure), reducing the amount of NO2 and reducing the brown colour. See image H460/483 for the darker brown colour before pressure was applied.

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Size: 5741px × 6089px
Photo credit: © MARTYN F. CHILLMAID/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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