Question

Assertion (A): One of the favourable condition for the manufacture of sulphuric acid by contact process is high pressure.

Reason (R): The forward reaction of contact process proceeds with increase in volume.

Options

• If both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

• If both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

• If A is true, but R is false.

• If both A and R are false.

Answer 1

If A is true, but R is false.

Explanation:

The assertion is true because high pressure shifts the equilibrium to the forward side according to Le Chatelier’s principle, though an optimum pressure of 1 to 2 atmospheres is sufficient in practice. The reason is completely false because the forward reaction (\[\ce{2SO2 + O2 <=> 2SO3}\]) goes from 3 moles of gaseous reactants to 2 moles of products, meaning it proceeds with a decrease in volume, not an increase.