Equilibrium Constant Calculation for N2 + 2O <--> 2NO2 at Given Concentrations

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The discussion centers on calculating the equilibrium constant for the reaction N2(g) + 2O(g) <--> 2NO2(g) using given concentrations, resulting in a calculated Ke of 0.5. Participants confirm the calculation's accuracy and delve into the Claus Process, which removes hydrogen sulfide during crude oil processing. They explore how changes like removing sulfur and cooling the reaction chamber affect the equilibrium position according to Le Chatelier's Principle. The cooling of the chamber is noted to shift the reaction right to restore heat, while the removal of sulfur is questioned since it does not appear on the product side of the equation. The conversation emphasizes understanding the principles of reaction rates and the role of temperature in equilibrium shifts, with some disagreement on the best approach to conceptualize these effects.
97lmn
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N2(g) + 2O(g) <--> 2NO2(g)

At a certain temperature, the follwoing are the equilibrium concentrations for the above reaction:

[N2] = 8.0 mol/L
[O2] = 2.0 mol/L
[NO2] = 4.0 mol/L

Determine the equilibrium constant.

My answer..

Ke = [NO2]^2 / [N2][O2]^2

Ke = [4.0]^2 / [8.0][2.0]^2

Ke = 0.5

Correct?
 
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I believe your calculations are correct. Latex is friendly though =)
 
Another question having to due with equilibrium...

The Claus Process is an industrial process used to remove toxic hydrogen sulfide gas during the processing of crude oil. The chemicle equation for this process is:

2 H2S(g) + SO2(g) <--> 3 H2O(g) + Heat

Use Le Chatliers Principle to describe why the following changes favour the removal of H2S.

a) Removing sulfur as soon as it forms
b) Cooling the reaction chamber

I think it has something to due with the temperature..and either the products or reactants being favored...not sure tho.
 
97lmn said:
Another question having to due with equilibrium...

The Claus Process is an industrial process used to remove toxic hydrogen sulfide gas during the processing of crude oil. The chemicle equation for this process is:

2 H2S(g) + SO2(g) <--> 3 H2O(g) + Heat

Use Le Chatliers Principle to describe why the following changes favour the removal of H2S.

a) Removing sulfur as soon as it forms
b) Cooling the reaction chamber

I think it has something to due with the temperature..and either the products or reactants being favored...not sure tho.

I'm not sure what you mean by a); since there is no sulfur on the right side of the equation.

I don't want to give you the answer, but for b), look at the equation. Is it exothermic or endothermic? What would it mean? Try to think of temperature as an actual "molecular species", or in this case, a product. Try to apply your knowledge dealing with the removal or addition of a product in this case to predict which way the system would shift. I hope that leads you to the right answer.
 
oh sorry got the equation wrong.

2 H2S(g) + SO2(g) <--> 3 S(s) + 2 H2O(g) + Heat
 
97lmn said:
oh sorry got the equation wrong.

2 H2S(g) + SO2(g) <--> 3 S(s) + 2 H2O(g) + Heat
yes well, I was too lazy to actually fix your equation haha :P
do you understand or do you have further questions?
 
Use Le Chatliers Principle to describe why the following changes favour the removal of H2S.

a) Removing sulfur as soon as it forms
b) Cooling the reaction chamber

The best way to explain these changes is to offer an explanation in relevance to relative rate constants.
 
97lmn said:
Another question having to due with equilibrium...

The Claus Process is an industrial process used to remove toxic hydrogen sulfide gas during the processing of crude oil. The chemicle equation for this process is:

2 H2S(g) + SO2(g) <--> 3 H2O(g) + Heat

Use Le Chatliers Principle to describe why the following changes favour the removal of H2S.

a) Removing sulfur as soon as it forms
b) Cooling the reaction chamber

I think it has something to due with the temperature..and either the products or reactants being favored...not sure tho.


remember that heat can be considered as one of the products in this reaction. so cooling the reaction chamber means that you are absorbing heat from the right side of the reaction, and so the reaction will shift to the right by L'Chatlier's principle in order to restore the heat in equilibrium.
 
I don't particularly favor quetzal's and atremis' approach of "treating heat as a reactant/product" as a means of first understanding Le Chatelier - this approach provides no physical insight. And I strongly recommend GCT's approach of deriving the effects on the forward and reverse reaction rates. Once you have completely understood the reasons though, you may use the first method, as a quick 'n' easy tool.
 
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