Solving Equilibrium Constant: 2A(g)⇌B(g)+C(g)

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In summary, a chemical reaction between 2.5 mol of A and 1.0 mol of B takes place in a 5.0 L container, resulting in the equilibrium concentration of A being 0.20 M. The value of Kc can be calculated using the formula Kc = (c(B) * c(C)) / (c(A)^2), where c(A), c(B), and c(C) represent the concentrations of A, B, and C respectively. Plugging in the given values, we get a value of 0.1875 mol for Kc. However, after correcting for a mistake in the calculation of c(B), the correct value for Kc is 1.3 mol.
  • #1
jdstokes
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Samples of A (2.5 mol) and B (1.0 mol) are placed in a 5.0 L contained and the following reaction takes place

[itex]\rm 2A(g) \rightleftharpoons B(g) + C(g)[/itex]

At equilibrium, the concentration of A is 0.20 M. What is the vlaue of [itex]K_\mathrm{c}[/itex]?

[itex]n_0(\mathrm{A}) = 2.5\thinspace\mathrm{mol}[/itex]
[itex]n_0(\mathrm{B}) = 1.0\thinspace\mathrm{mol}[/itex]
[itex]n_\mathrm{eq}(\mathrm{A}) = 1.0\thinspace\mathrm{mol}[/itex]
[itex]\Delta n(\mathrm{A}) = -1.5\thinspace\mathrm{mol}[/itex]
[itex]\Delta n(\mathrm{B}) = -0.75\thinspace\mathrm{mol} = \Delta n(\mathrm{C})[/itex]

Now,

[itex]K_\mathrm{c} = \frac{c(\mathrm{B})c(\mathrm{C})}{c(\mathrm{A})^2}[/itex]

Putting

[itex]c(\mathrm{A}) = 0.2\thinspace\mathrm{mol}[/itex]
[itex]c(\mathrm{B}) = \frac{1.0-0.75}{5.0}\thinspace\mathrm{mol} = 0.050\thinspace\mathrm{mol}[/itex]
[itex]c(\mathrm{C}) = \frac{0.75}{5.0}\thinspace\mathrm{mol} = 0.15\thinspace\mathrm{mol}[/itex]

I compute

[itex]K_\mathrm{c} = 0.1875\thinspace\mathrm{mol}[/itex].

But the correct answer is 1.3 mol.
 
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  • #2
c(B) must be (1.0 + 0.75)/5 mol/L
 
  • #3
Thanks for the tip.
 

1. What is an equilibrium constant?

An equilibrium constant is a value that represents the ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations at equilibrium in a chemical reaction. It is used to determine the direction of a reaction and the relative amounts of products and reactants present at equilibrium.

2. How is the equilibrium constant calculated?

The equilibrium constant, K, is calculated by taking the ratio of the concentrations of the products raised to their respective stoichiometric coefficients divided by the concentrations of the reactants raised to their respective stoichiometric coefficients. This can also be expressed using partial pressures for gas-phase reactions.

3. What does a large equilibrium constant indicate?

A large equilibrium constant indicates that the reaction favors the formation of products at equilibrium. This means that there are more products present than reactants, and the reaction will proceed in the forward direction.

4. How does temperature affect the equilibrium constant?

The equilibrium constant is affected by temperature according to the Van't Hoff equation. Generally, an increase in temperature will lead to an increase in the value of the equilibrium constant for an endothermic reaction, and a decrease in the value for an exothermic reaction.

5. Can the equilibrium constant be changed?

The equilibrium constant is a constant value for a particular reaction at a specific temperature. It can only be changed by altering the temperature or pressure of the system, or by adding or removing reactants or products. Changing any of these factors will shift the equilibrium and result in a new equilibrium constant value.

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