The photograph below shows what occurs when a solution of potassium chromate is treated with a few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Some of the bright yellow chromate ion is converted to the orange dichromate ion.

(a) Explain this experimental observation in terms of Le Chatelier’s principle.
(b) What would you observe if you treated the orange solution with sodium hydroxide? Explain your observation.

Transcribed Image Text:

2 CrO4²- (aq) + 2 H₂O+ (aq) = Cr₂O72-(aq) + 3 H₂O(l)