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Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 15, Problem 46

At 900 K, the following reaction has 𝐾𝑝 = 0.345: 2 SO2(𝑔) + O2(𝑔) β‡Œ 2 SO3(𝑔) In an equilibrium mixture the partial pressures of SO2 and O2 are 0.135 atm and 0.455 atm, respectively. What is the equilibrium partial pressure of SO3 in the mixture?

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Write the expression for the equilibrium constant, Kp, for the reaction. For the reaction 2 SO2(g) + O2(g) β‡Œ 2 SO3(g), the expression is Kp = (P_SO3)^2 / ((P_SO2)^2 * P_O2).
Substitute the given values of the partial pressures of SO2 and O2 into the Kp expression. Here, P_SO2 = 0.135 atm and P_O2 = 0.455 atm.
Rearrange the Kp expression to solve for P_SO3. This involves isolating P_SO3 on one side of the equation.
Take the square root of both sides of the equation to solve for P_SO3, since P_SO3 is squared in the Kp expression.
Ensure that the units are consistent and that the calculation is dimensionally correct to find the equilibrium partial pressure of SO3.

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Key Concepts

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

Equilibrium Constant (Kp)

The equilibrium constant, Kp, is a dimensionless number that expresses the ratio of the partial pressures of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. For the reaction 2 SO2(g) + O2(g) β‡Œ 2 SO3(g), Kp is calculated using the formula Kp = (P_SO3^2) / (P_SO2^2 * P_O2), where P represents the partial pressures of the gases involved. A Kp value less than 1 indicates that at equilibrium, the reactants are favored over the products.
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Partial Pressure

Partial pressure is the pressure exerted by a single component of a gas mixture. According to Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures, the total pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the partial pressures of each individual gas. In this context, knowing the partial pressures of SO2 and O2 allows us to calculate the partial pressure of SO3 at equilibrium using the equilibrium constant.
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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 itself 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. In this case, understanding how the equilibrium shifts can provide insights into the relationship between the partial pressures of the reactants and products.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Indicate whether each of the following statements about the reaction quotient Q is true or false: (a) The expression for 𝑄𝑐 looks the same as the expression for 𝐾𝑐.

Textbook Question

Indicate whether each of the following statements about the reaction quotient Q is true or false: (b) If 𝑄𝑐 < 𝐾𝑐, the reaction needs to proceed to the right to reach equilibrium.

Textbook Question

At 100Β°C, the equilibrium constant for the reaction COCl2(𝑔) β‡Œ CO(𝑔) + Cl2(𝑔) has the value 𝐾𝑐 = 2.19Γ—10βˆ’10. Are the following mixtures of COCl2, CO, and Cl2 at 100Β°C at equilibrium? If not, indicate the direction that the reaction must proceed to achieve equilibrium. (a) [COCl2] = 2.00Γ—10βˆ’3 𝑀, [CO] = 3.3Γ—10βˆ’6 𝑀, [Cl2] = 6.62Γ—10βˆ’6𝑀

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Textbook Question

At 218Β°C, 𝐾𝑐 = 1.2Γ—10βˆ’4 for the equilibrium NH4SH(𝑠) β‡Œ NH3(𝑔) + H2S(𝑔) (a) Calculate the equilibrium concentrations of NH3 and H2S if a sample of solid NH4SH is placed in a closed vessel at 218Β°C and decomposes until equilibrium is reached.

Textbook Question

At 80Β°C, 𝐾𝑐 = 1.87Γ—10βˆ’3 for the reaction PH3BCl3(𝑠) β‡Œ PH3(𝑔) + BCl3(𝑔) (a) Calculate the equilibrium concentrations of PH3 and BCl3 if a solid sample of PH3BCl3 is placed in a closed vessel at 80Β°C and decomposes until equilibrium is reached.

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Textbook Question

At 80Β°C, 𝐾𝑐 = 1.87Γ—10βˆ’3 for the reaction PH3BCl3(𝑠) β‡Œ PH3(𝑔) + BCl3(𝑔) (a) Calculate the equilibrium concentrations of PH3 and BCl3 if a solid sample of PH3BCl3 is placed in a closed vessel at 80Β°C and decomposes until equilibrium is reached. (b) If the flask has a volume of 0.250 L, what is the minimum mass of PH3BCl3(𝑠) that must be added to the flask to achieve equilibrium?

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