(Solved): Chemical Process: The contact process is the current method of producing sulfuric acid in the high ...

Chemical Process: The contact process is the current method of producing sulfuric acid in the high concentrations needed for industrial processes. Vanadium (V) oxide (V?Os) is used as catalyst for this reaction. The major steps involved in this process are: 1. making sulphur dioxide; 2. converting the sulphur dioxide into siphur trioxide (a reversible reaction at the heart of phurt the process); 3. converting the sulphur trioxide into concentrated sulphuric acid. The crucial step in this process, is the oxidation of sulfur dioxide, SO? to sulfur trioxide, SO3, which is a reversible exothermic reaction. This reaction will be the focus of this assignment. Questions: 1. Write the balanced chemical equation for the conversion of sulphur dioxide into sulphur trioxide. (2 marks) 2. Given that this reaction is an exothermic one, propose a way to increase the quantity of sulphur trioxide produced. How that could potentially impart the reaction rate? (3 marks) 3. Describe how increasing the pressure of the system will shift the equilibrium and why it will affect the yield of sulphur trioxide. (3 marks) 4. What is the effect of the catalyst on the equilibrium and why it is used? (2 marks)