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Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 15, Problem 6

Ethene (C2H4) reacts with halogens (X2) by the following reaction:
C2H4(𝑔) + X2(𝑔) β‡Œ C2H4X2(𝑔)
The following figures represent the concentrations at equilibrium at the same temperature when X2 is Cl2 (green), Br2 (brown), and I2 (purple). List the equilibria from smallest to largest equilibrium constant. [Section 15.3]

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Equilibrium Constant (K)

The equilibrium constant (K) is a numerical value that expresses the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. It indicates the extent to which a reaction proceeds; a larger K value suggests a greater concentration of products compared to reactants, while a smaller K indicates the opposite. Understanding K is essential for comparing the equilibria of different reactions.
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Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the system will adjust to counteract the change and restore a new equilibrium. This principle helps predict how changes in concentration, pressure, or temperature will affect the position of equilibrium, which is crucial when analyzing reactions involving different halogens in the given question.
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Halogen Reactivity

Halogen reactivity refers to the tendency of halogens (like Cl<sub>2</sub>, Br<sub>2</sub>, and I<sub>2</sub>) to react with other substances, which decreases down the group in the periodic table. Chlorine is more reactive than bromine, which is more reactive than iodine. This trend in reactivity influences the rate of reaction and the equilibrium constant for the reaction with ethene, affecting the comparison of their equilibrium constants.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

(a) Based on the following energy profile, predict whether kf > kr or kf < kr. [Section 15.1]

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Textbook Question

The following diagrams represent a hypothetical reaction A Β‘ B, with A represented by red spheres and B represented by blue spheres. The sequence from left to right represents the system as time passes. Does the system reach equilibrium? If so, in which diagram(s) is the system in equilibrium? [Sections 15.1 and 15.2]

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Textbook Question

The following diagram represents a reaction shown going to completion. Each molecule in the diagram represents 0.1 mol, and the volume of the box is 1.0 L. (d) Assuming that all of the molecules are in the gas phase, calculate n, the change in the number of gas molecules that accompanies the reaction. [Section 15.2]

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Textbook Question

When lead(IV) oxide is heated above 300Β°C, it decomposes according to the reaction, 2 PbO2(𝑠) β‡Œ 2PbO(𝑠) + O2(𝑔). Consider the two sealed vessels of PbO2 shown here. If both vessels are heated to 400Β°C and allowed to come to equilibrium, which of the following statements is or are true? a. There will be less PbO2 remaining in vessel A,

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Textbook Question

When lead(IV) oxide is heated above 300Β°C, it decomposes according to the reaction, 2 PbO2(𝑠)β‡Œ2PbO(𝑠)+O2(𝑔). Consider the two sealed vessels of PbO2 shown here. If both vessels are heated to 400Β°C and allowed to come to equilibrium, which of the following statements is or are true?

b. There will be less PbO2 remaining in vessel B,

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Textbook Question

When lead(IV) oxide is heated above 300Β°C, it decomposes according to the reaction, 2 PbO2(𝑠) β‡Œ 2PbO(𝑠) + O2(𝑔). Consider the two sealed vessels of PbO2 shown here. If both vessels are heated to 400Β°C and allowed to come to equilibrium, which of the following statements is or are true? (c) The amount of PbO2 remaining in each vessel will be the same. [Find more in Section 15.4]

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