Chemical Equilibrium with individual reactions

[Knight226]

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

K_c = (K_p)/ (RT)^{delta n}

K_c = (K_a)(K_b)
(Where a and b are the individual reactions while c is the overall reaction where the coefficients are the same)

The Attempt at a Solution

The question prior to this one has individual reactions as well, but those individual reactions add up the overall one (with the exception of the coefficient though, which however just need to raise the result to the appropriate power).

With this question, I can't seem to balance those 3 individual reactions so that they could math the overall equation as given by the instruction.

One problem to me is that CH4 and C2H2 have to be on different side, so I thought maybe I could reverse one of the individual reactions (either the 1st or 2nd one) so that the position is correctly matched to the overall reaction. Even after doing that I am unable to reach the equation as the same one. There are other elements that will still remain in the individual reactions while not appear in the overall one.

Please advice. Thank you very much in advance.

 

[nate808]

Thank you for reaching out for assistance with your question. It seems like you are having trouble balancing the individual reactions to match the overall reaction. Balancing chemical equations can be tricky, but there are a few steps you can follow to help you solve this problem.

First, make sure that all elements are balanced on both sides of the equation. This means that the number of atoms of each element should be the same on both sides. If there are any elements that are not balanced, try adjusting the coefficients of the reactants and products to see if you can balance them.

Next, try to balance the charges on both sides of the equation. This is especially important for reactions involving ions. If there are any charges that are not balanced, try adding or removing ions to see if you can balance them out.

If you are still having trouble balancing the equations, try using the method of trial and error. This means changing the coefficients of the reactants and products until you find a combination that balances the equation. It may take a few tries, but eventually you should be able to find a solution.

If you are still unable to balance the equations, it may be helpful to consult a chemistry textbook or ask your teacher for assistance. Balancing equations is an important skill in chemistry, so it's important to understand the process.

I hope this advice helps you to solve your problem. Good luck with your studies! (Scientist)

 

[Blueshift5]

it is important to understand that chemical equilibrium is a dynamic state where the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal. In order to achieve this equilibrium, the concentrations of the reactants and products must also be constant. In this case, the equilibrium constant (Kc) can be calculated using the equation Kc = (Kp)/ (RT)delta n, where Kp is the equilibrium constant at constant pressure, R is the gas constant, T is the temperature, and delta n is the difference in the number of moles of gaseous products and reactants.

In order to solve the problem, it is important to first balance the individual reactions so that they can be combined to form the overall equation. This can be done by adjusting the coefficients of the individual reactions, keeping in mind that the coefficients must be multiplied by the equilibrium constants (Ka and Kb) to obtain the overall equilibrium constant (Kc). Once the individual reactions are balanced, the overall equation can be written as Kc = (Ka)(Kb).

It is also important to note that the individual reactions may have different reactants and products compared to the overall equation. This is because the overall equation represents the net reaction, while the individual reactions represent the individual steps involved in the reaction mechanism.

In conclusion, balancing the individual reactions and understanding the concept of equilibrium constants are crucial in solving problems related to chemical equilibrium. It is also important to keep in mind that the individual reactions may not have the same reactants and products as the overall equation, but they can still be combined to obtain the overall equilibrium constant.