For the Haber-Bosch equilibrium $N_2(g) + 3H_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NH_3(g)$ with $\Delta H = -92\,\text{kJ}$, what happens to the equilibrium position when $[N_2(g)]$ is increased (shift to reactant side, shift to product side, or no change), and what would the resulting concentration vs time graph look like?
Increasing $[N_2]$ shifts the equilibrium to the product side (to the right) to consume some of the added $N_2$ and form more $NH_3$. On a concentration vs time graph, $[N_2]$ shows an instantaneous jump up at the moment of addition, then decreases as the system re-equilibrates; $[NH_3]$ rises to a new higher plateau and $[H_2]$ falls to a new lower plateau.
What the change is doing to the system
You are adding more $N_2(g)$, which is a reactant. That is a “concentration stress” on the equilibrium mixture.
Using Le Chatelier’s principle (and $Q$ vs $K$)
Right after adding $N_2$, the reaction quotient $$Q = \frac{[NH_3]^2}{[N_2][H_2]^3}$$ gets smaller because the denominator increases. So $Q < K$, and the system responds by moving forward (to the right) until $Q$ increases back to $K$. That forward shift consumes $N_2$ and $H_2$ and produces more $NH_3$.
What the concentration-time graph should show
Assume you plot concentration vs time and the disturbance happens at time $t_0$.
- $[N_2]$: instant vertical increase at $t_0$ (because you added it), then a gradual drop as it is consumed, ending above the original level but below the spike.
- $[NH_3]$: no instant jump at $t_0$ (you did not add $NH_3$), then a gradual increase to a higher equilibrium plateau.
- $[H_2]$: no instant jump at $t_0$, then a gradual decrease to a lower equilibrium plateau.
Simple sketch (qualitative)
concentration
^
| N2 |\
| | \
| | \_____
| NH3 | /''''''
| | /
| |___/__________
| H2 |\
| | \
| | \____
+-----------------+-----------------> time
t0 (add N2)
(Shapes are qualitative: vertical jumps only for the species you directly add; others change smoothly as equilibrium re-establishes.)
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