Calculating Kp for gas mixture from picture

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the pressure equilibrium constant (Kp) for the reaction N2O4 <> 2NO2 based on a provided image. Participants explore how to derive Kp using partial pressures and the implications of insufficient data in the problem statement.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related, Debate/contested, Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about substituting the number of gas molecules for partial pressures in the Kp expression, particularly due to the squared term in the numerator.
  • Another participant calculates Kp using assumed partial pressures based on a total pressure (Pt) and notes that this approach can be applied to any image, suggesting multiple interpretations.
  • A later reply questions the correctness of the textbook's answer and argues that the problem is incomplete, as different total pressures can lead to different conclusions.
  • Some participants agree that without knowing the total pressure of the gas mixture, solving the problem is impossible.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the problem lacks sufficient data to arrive at a definitive answer, with multiple competing views on how to interpret the provided images and calculate Kp.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the problem statement, particularly the absence of a specified total pressure, which affects the ability to determine Kp accurately.

CroSinus
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1

Homework Statement


A chemical reaction is described by the equation N2O4 <> 2NO2. The pressure equilibrium constant for the given reaction is equal to 8 Pa. Which picture describes the equilibrium? (Please, see the attached file!).
STR 112, samo slika.jpg
[/B]

Homework Equations


N2O4 <> 2NO2[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


First I wrote the expression for the equilibrium constant of the given reaction. Kp = p^2(NO2) / p(N2O4). Then I tried to substitute partial pressures with the number of molecules for each type of the gass. It is not clear to me how can I use only number of molecules to replace partial pressures since I have the partial pressure squared in numerator. The pressure squared prevents for some things to be canceled in the expression for Kp if I apply Dalton's law for gas mixtures. Can somebody explain this to me, please. [/B]
 
Last edited:
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Agreed, there is not enough data to answer the problem.

For the first picture, assuming the total pressure is Pt, partial pressure of NO2 is \frac 1 3 P_t and partial pressure of N2O4 is \frac 2 3 P_t. Then

K_p = \frac {P^2_{NO_2}}{P_{N_2O_4}} = \frac {(\frac 1 3 P_t)^2}{\frac 2 3 P_t} = \frac 1 6 P_t

Assume Pt=48 Pa and the first image is the correct answer. Problem is, the same can be done for every other image.
 
Thanks for answering my question.
My textbook says the correct answer is C. But how did they get that result? Here's the original text of the question in Croatian.

STR 112, samo zadatak 21.jpg
 
Last edited:
CroSinus said:
But how did they get that result?

Making an error.

C is NOT the correct answer. There is no correct answer to this problem, as it is incomplete.

As I have shown you above - you can "prove" each answer to be the correct one, just assuming different values of the total pressure.
 
Right. I agree with you. Unless you know the total pressure of the mixture, it is impossible to solve the problem. Funny textbook. :wink:
 

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