Concentration of water vapor present at equilibrium

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equilibrium concentration of water vapor in the reaction involving iron, water vapor, and hydrogen gas. Participants explore the application of the equilibrium constant (Kc) and the ideal gas law to determine the concentrations at equilibrium, with a focus on the implications of the reaction stoichiometry.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the concentration of water vapor using Kc and assumes a direct relationship with hydrogen concentration, suggesting that they are equal due to a one-to-one stoichiometry.
  • Another participant uses the ideal gas law to derive the pressure of hydrogen and subsequently calculates the pressure of water vapor, noting that the reaction does not go to completion and that the equilibrium constant is essential for the analysis.
  • A third participant challenges the initial assumption about the concentrations being equal, emphasizing that the moles of water vapor produced correspond to the moles of hydrogen consumed, leading to different final pressures for each component.
  • Another participant argues that the equilibrium expression should reflect the correct placement of water vapor in the numerator and suggests that iron oxide's state should be considered in the equilibrium equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the relationship between the concentrations of water vapor and hydrogen. There is no consensus on the correct application of the equilibrium constant or the ideal gas law in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of considering the reaction's stoichiometry and the state of iron oxide in the equilibrium expression. There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the behavior of the gases involved.

Mag
3 Fe (S) + 4 H2O (g) = Fe3O4 + 4 H2 (g)

This equilibrium has a Kc of 4.6 @ 850 degree C. Determine the concentration of water vapor present at equilibrium if the reaction is initiated using 8.00 grams H2 and an excess of iron oxide, fe3O4, in a 16.0 liter container.

This is what I have so far:

Kc =

^4 / [H20]^4

4.6 = [0.25]^4 / X^4

X = [0.170697] H2, Since this is a one:one reaction then the concentration of the water vapor would equal the concentration of H2, correct?

 
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SO, from PV=nRT,
I get 2.3 atm for the pressure of H2
(using 1123.15 K, and R = 0.00821 L atm/mol K, V = 16 L)

From that I get (2.3)^4 / 4.6 = p(H2O)^4

using my calculator tells me that p(H20) is 3.37 atm.

Because it is 1:1 in the equation means that IF the reaction went to completion, then there will be an amount of oxygen (in moles) equal to the former amount of hydrogen (in moles). But, the reaction did bot go to completion. That's why they gave you the equilibrium constant.

edit: I don't know where I got O2 from :), I replaced it with H20, and apparently my calculator doesn't do quarter roots very well.
 
Last edited:
Mag said:
3 Fe (S) + 4 H2O (g) = Fe3O4 + 4 H2 (g)

This equilibrium has a Kc of 4.6 @ 850 degree C. Determine the concentration of water vapor present at equilibrium if the reaction is initiated using 8.00 grams H2 and an excess of iron oxide, fe3O4, in a 16.0 liter container.

This is what I have so far:

Kc =

^4 / [H20]^4

4.6 = [0.25]^4 / X^4

X = [0.170697] H2, Since this is a one:one reaction then the concentration of the water vapor would equal the concentration of H2, correct?



No !

The moles of water vapor produced = moles of H2 consumed. If the initial partial pressure of H2 is P (this can be calculated from the Ideal Gas Equation), then the final pressures are P(H2) = P - X and P(H2O) = X.

 
The product of the reaction is water vapor and thus it should be the numerator in the equilibrium Kc equation. Also , I believe you need to include iron oxide in the equilibrium equation (unless in solid form). Due to these factors and also mathematical principles and situational variations it is not correct to say that the concentrations are equal.

hope this helps


-------
Online help with chemistry
http://groups.msn.com/GeneralChemistryHomework
 
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