Convert Kp to Kc: N2 + O2 <--> 2NO @ 25°C

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At 25°C, the equilibrium constant Kp for the reaction N2 + O2 <--> 2NO is 1x10^-31. The calculated partial pressure of NO is 1.26x10^-16 atm, which needs to be converted to concentration in molecules/cm³. The Ideal Gas Law (PV=nRT) is suggested for this conversion, focusing on finding moles per unit volume. The final calculation yields approximately 3203.7 molecules/cm³ of NO. The discussion emphasizes the correct application of the Ideal Gas Law and unit conversions to achieve the desired concentration.
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Homework Statement



At 25°C, Kp = 1x10-31 for the reaction below.

N2(g) + O2(g) <--> 2 NO(g)
(a) Calculate the concentration of NO (in molecules/cm3) that can exist in equilibrium in air at 25°C. In air PN2 = 0.8 atm and PO2 = 0.2 atm.

Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution


I have calculated the partial pressure of NO to be 1.26x10-16 but I do not know how to convert to Kp from this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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needphyshelp said:
I have calculated the partial pressure of NO to be 1.26x10-16 but I do not know how to convert to Kp from this.


Sorry, but it doesn't make sense. Are you trying to convert Kp to Kc, or partial pressure to concentration, or something else?
 
First of all, you do not need to convert Kp to Kc.
needphyshelp said:
(a) Calculate the concentration of NO (in molecules/cm3) that can exist in equilibrium in air at 25°C.
...
I have calculated the partial pressure of NO to be 1.26x10-16
The number you have calculated for p(NO) is correct, though you are missing the units. What you need to do is convert partial pressure into molecules per cc.

Hint: Ideal gas equation.
 
I'm sorry - I am trying to convert partial pressure to concentration.

Using the Ideal gas equation, PV=nRT, do I use n=2, solve for volume, and then convert to molecules per cm^3?
 
needphyshelp said:
I'm sorry - I am trying to convert partial pressure to concentration.
That's right.

Using the Ideal gas equation, PV=nRT, do I use n=2, solve for volume, and then convert to molecules per cm^3?
No, the stoichiometry doesn't matter anymore.

Hint: You can find the molecules per cc if you first find the moles per unit volume, i.e., n/V
 
I still am not getting the correct answer. I don't know what I'm missing.

PV=nRT = 1.3E-16(V)=n(.08206)(298) so moles/L = 5.32E-18. I then converted it to moles/cm3 by dividing by 1000, which gave me 5.32E-21 then multiplied by Avogadro's number to get 3203.7 molecules/cm3.

I also tried converting atmospheres to bars and using the gas constant 83.145 so that my answer would be in moles/cm3 and then converting from there, but that was not correct either.

Can you tell me what I am doing wrong?
 
How do you know it's wrong? It looks good to me.
 
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