Solid Mercury(II) Oxide Decomposes When Heated to Produce Liquid Mercury

question 42

Multiple Choice

Solid mercury(II) oxide decomposes when heated to produce liquid mercury and oxygen. 2HgO(s) 2Hg(l)  O₂(g)
An amount of mercury(II) oxide is placed in a vessel at a particular temperature and allowed to reach equilibrium. How could the amount of liquid mercury in the vessel be increased?
I. adding more mercury(II) oxide
II. removing some oxygen
III. increasing the volume of the vessel

• A)I only
• B)II only
• C)III only
• D)I and II
• E)II and III

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Definitions:

Adverse Selection

A situation where asymmetric information results in high-risk individuals being more likely to select into or remain in a contract designed for low-risk individuals, affecting insurance markets and other transactional relationships.

Asymmetric Information

A situation in which one party to a transaction has more or superior information compared to another.

Moral Hazard

The situation where one party is more likely to take risks because they do not bear the full consequences of those risks.

Hidden Action

A situation in contract theory and economics where one party's action is not observed or cannot be monitored by another, potentially leading to moral hazard.