The Contact Process

Question 1

What are the raw materials that make up sulphuric acid.

Answer 1

Sulphur
Water
Air

Question 2

Stage 1 of contact process

Answer 2

Making sulfur dioxide
In the first stage of the contact process, sulphur is burned into the air to make sulphur dioxide.

Sulphur + oxygen –> sulphur dioxide.
S + 02 –> SO2

This reaction is not reversible.

Question 3

Stage 2 of the contact process

Answer 3

Making sulfur trioxide.
In the second stage, sulphur dioxide reacts with oxygen to make sulphur trioxide:

Sulphur dioxide + oxygen –> sulphur trioxide
2SO2 + 02 –> 2SO3

This reaction is reversible.

Question 4

The conditions needed for reversing the stage 2 action

Answer 4

A catalyst of vanadium oxide
A temp of around 450
Atmospheric pressure

Question 5

Stage 3 of the contact process

Answer 5

Making sulphuric acid
In the last stage, sulphur reacts with water to make sulphuric acid.

H20 + SO3 –> H2SO4

Not a reversible reaction just like the first stage.

Question 6

Factors that affect the position of equilibrium

Answer 6

Adding or removing a substance.
Increasing the pressure
Increasing the temperature

Question 7

What happens when a product is removed or a reactant is added?

Answer 7

The position of equilibrium moves to the right.

Question 8

What happens when a reactant is removed or a product is added?

Answer 8

The position of equilibrium moves to the left

Question 9

What happens if the pressure is increased?

Answer 9

If the pressure is increased, the position of equilibrium moves in the direction of the least number of moles of gas.