Calculating Equilibrium Constant Kc - Need Help!

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction 2A(g) <--> B(g) + C(g) given initial amounts of reactants and the equilibrium concentration of A. Participants are exploring the relationship between Kc and Kp, as well as the application of the law of mass action.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial concentrations of reactants and how to express the equilibrium concentrations in terms of the extent of reaction. Questions are raised about the relationship between Kc and Kp, and the law of mass action is referenced. Some participants also question the calculations related to the number of moles and concentrations at equilibrium.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active with various interpretations being explored regarding the calculations for Kc. Some participants have offered guidance on how to set up the equilibrium expressions and have pointed out potential errors in initial assumptions or calculations. There is no explicit consensus on the final value of Kc, but productive dialogue is occurring.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may limit the information available for discussion. There are also differing interpretations of how to approach the calculations based on the given equilibrium concentration of A.

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Could someone please help me with this problem?

Samples of A (2.5 mol) and B (1.0 mol) are placed in a 5.0L container and the following reaction takes place:


2A(g) <--> B(g) + C(g)

At equilibrium, the concentration of A is 0.20M. What is the value of Kc?

Thanks. It's probably really simple but I can't seem to get it. I'm not that strong on this stuff.

Also, apparently the relationship between Kc and Kp is Kc = Kp. Why is that the case?

Thanks again.
 
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[itex] K_p=K_c (RT)^{dn}[/itex]

where [itex]dn[/itex]= No. of moles of products- No. of moles of reactants

Kc = Kp because the number of moles of the gaseous componentson both sides are the same.

For your first query , what is law of mass action?...How is Kc related to the products and reactants?
 
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[tex]Kc= \frac{[C]<b>}{[A]^{2}} </b>[/tex]

[tex]Kc= \frac{[C_b+.25mol/5.0L][.25mol/5.0L]}{[.200M]^{2}}[/tex]

[tex]Kc= \frac{[1.0mol/5.0L+.25mol/5.0L][.25mol/5.0L]}{[.200M]^{2}}[/tex]

solve for [tex]Kc[/tex]
 
Initially, the concentration of all the species are
[A] = 2.5(mol) / 5.0(L) = c1 -I
= 1.0(mol) / 5.0(L) = c2 -II
[C] = 0

Now, let 'a' be the extent of the reaction

Concentration of all species at equilibirium are

[A]=c1(1-2a) -III
=c2+c1(a)
[C]=c1(a)

Now it is given that the concentration of [A] at equilibirium is 0.2 mol/L.
From III, c1(1-2a)=0.2
Now, the value of c1 is known.Therefore the value of a can be found.
From this the value of Kc=([C])/([A]^2) {The concentration of species at equilibirium}

GCT:
Instead of 0.25, shouldn't it be 0.75? Initially, number of moles of A are 2.5. Finally, the number of moles of A 0.2*5=1 . Therefore the number of moles of A reacted = 2.5-1=1.5 . By molar ratio, the number of moles of B and C formed are 0.75.
 
Ok, I get it. Thanks guys :smile:
 
GCT:
Instead of 0.25, shouldn't it be 0.75? Initially, number of moles of A are 2.5. Finally, the number of moles of A 0.2*5=1 . Therefore the number of moles of A reacted = 2.5-1=1.5 . By molar ratio, the number of moles of B and C formed are 0.75.

I'm not quite sure why you're trying to find the number of moles, when the equilibrium concentration of A is given. Anyways I neglected to use the appropriate initial concentration for A.

[tex].25mol/5.0L=.5M,~mol~A~reacted~=~.5M-.20M=.3M[/tex]

you'll need to divide by 2, to find the equilvalent moles of B and C

[tex].3M~A~reacted(1~mol~B/2~mol~A)~=~.15M~B,C~formed[/tex]
 
GCT said:
I'm not quite sure why you're trying to find the number of moles, when the equilibrium concentration of A is given. Anyways I neglected to use the appropriate initial concentration for A.

[tex].25mol/5.0L=.5M, mol A reacted~=~.5M-.20M=.3M[/tex]

It should be 2.5mol/5L=.5M
Anyway, finding the number of moles is the same thing. If 0.75 moles of B and C are formed, then the concentration of each is 0.75/5= 0.15 M. That's why in your initial post, instead of 0.25/5, it should be 0.75/5=0.15M. (As you wrote in the last post)
 
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