(N/A) According to Le Chatelier's principle,when the pressure of a system at equilibrium is decreased (by increasing the volume),the equilibrium shifts in the direction that increases the total number of moles of gaseous species.
$(a)$ $PCl_{5(g)} \rightleftharpoons PCl_{3(g)} + Cl_{2(g)}$: The number of gaseous moles increases from $1$ (reactant) to $2$ (products). Thus,the equilibrium shifts forward,and the number of moles of products increases.
$(b)$ $CaO_{(s)} + CO_{2(g)} \rightleftharpoons CaCO_{3(s)}$: The number of gaseous moles is $1$ on the reactant side and $0$ on the product side. To increase gaseous moles,the equilibrium shifts in the reverse direction,so the number of moles of products decreases.
$(c)$ $3Fe_{(s)} + 4H_{2}O_{(g)} \rightleftharpoons Fe_{3}O_{4(s)} + 4H_{2(g)}$: The number of gaseous moles is $4$ on both sides. Therefore,a change in pressure has no effect on the equilibrium position,and the number of moles of products remains the same.
| Reaction | Change in Moles of Gas (Products vs Reactants) |
| $(a)$ | Products: $2$,Reactants: $1$. Equilibrium shifts forward. |
| $(b)$ | Products: $0$,Reactants: $1$. Equilibrium shifts reverse. |
| $(c)$ | Products: $4$,Reactants: $4$. No change in equilibrium. |