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How does a decrease in temperature affect the equilibrium constant (Kc) for the reaction N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)? Calculate the new equilibrium constant if the initial Kc for this reaction at 400°C is 4.34 x 10^-3 and the temperature decreases to 250°C.

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To determine how a decrease in temperature affects the equilibrium constant  Kc  for the reaction N2 g  + 3H2 g   2NH3 g , we need to consider the reaction's enthalpy change  H . The formation of ammonia  NH3  from nitrogen  N2  and hydrogen  H2  is an exothermic reaction, meaning it releases heat  H < 0 .According to Le Chatelier's principle, if a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change in temperature, the system will adjust itself to counteract the change. In this case, since the reaction is exothermic, a decrease in temperature will shift the equilibrium to the right  toward the formation of NH3  to produce more heat. As a result, the equilibrium constant  Kc  will increase.To calculate the new equilibrium constant at 250C, we can use the van't Hoff equation:ln Kc2/Kc1  = -H/R *  1/T2 - 1/T1 where Kc1 and Kc2 are the equilibrium constants at temperatures T1 and T2, respectively, H is the enthalpy change of the reaction, and R is the gas constant  8.314 J/molK .However, we do not have the value of H for this reaction. Without this information, we cannot directly calculate the new equilibrium constant at 250C. But we can qualitatively say that the new Kc will be greater than the initial Kc  4.34 x 10^-3  due to the decrease in temperature for this exothermic reaction.

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