Calculating Kp for gas mixture from picture

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the equilibrium constant Kp for the reaction N2O4 <> 2NO2, given a pressure equilibrium constant of 8 Pa. Participants express confusion over how to use the number of gas molecules to replace partial pressures in the Kp expression, particularly due to the squared term in the numerator. It is noted that without knowing the total pressure of the gas mixture, any picture could potentially be justified as correct. One participant highlights that the textbook's answer is incorrect, as the problem lacks sufficient data to determine a definitive solution. The consensus is that the problem is incomplete and cannot be accurately solved without additional information.
CroSinus
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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]
 
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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
 
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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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