Chemistry Equilibrium Help?

Question

http://www.bi10etc.com/esterification.pdf

Sulfuric acid was used as a catalyst in this reaction. Would the presence of a catalyst affect the position of the equilibrium (i.e., the relative amounts of substances present once equilibrium was reached?) Why?

Answer 1

Step 1 :

One of the characterestics of Catalysts :

Presence of a Catalysts does not effect the position of equilibrium in a reversable reaction.

This is true when a small amount of the catalyst is used.

The catalyst helps in attaining the equilibrium more quickly by incresing the rates of both the forward and the reverse reactions to the same extent.

If how ever the catalyst is present in large amount, the same is not true.

Some instances are known where the equilibrium constant changes.

Step 2 :

Sulfuric acid was used as a catalyst in the reaction  :

.

Thus, the presence of Sulfuric acid does not effect the position of equilibrium.

Solution :

The presence of Sulfuric acid does not effect the position of equilibrium.