Question

1.Vanadium (V) oxide is used to catalyse the exothermic reaction between sulfur dioxide and oxygen in the Contact Process.

2SO2 + O2 = 2SO3

The rate of this reaction can be increased either by using a catalyst or by increasing the temperature.
Explain why a catalyst is used and not a higher temperature.

Answer 1

In this reaction increased temperature will increase the reaction yield. At the same time, the catalyst will not impact this or change the position of equilibrium.