Equilibrium Constant Calculation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the equilibrium constant for a given chemical reaction at 730 °C, using provided equilibrium concentrations of reactants and products. Initial calculations were incorrect due to arithmetic errors, specifically in scientific notation. After identifying the mistakes, the corrected value for the equilibrium constant was determined to be 500640625. Participants emphasized the significance of accurate calculations, noting that the initial error was off by 13 orders of magnitude, highlighting the importance of careful arithmetic in chemistry. The conversation reflects a collaborative effort to resolve the misunderstanding and arrive at the correct answer.
Spallation
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Determine the equilibrium constant, my working is below:

Equilibrium reaction:
[PLAIN]http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/5106/reactiondy.jpg

At 730 oC the equilibrium concentrations of reactants and products are:

[H2 (g) ] / mol dm-3 : 2.40 x 10-7

[Cl2 (g)] / mol dm-3 : 2.40 x 10-7

[HCl (g)] / mol dm-3: 5.37 x 10-3

[PLAIN]http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/4485/equationconstant.jpg




My answer is wrong but I don't know why, I must have missed something out. Thanks for any explanations I receive.
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi Spallation! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Your arithmetic is wrong … how did you get 2.9 10-5 ? :confused:
 
I rounded to two significant figures and put it in scientific notation from the answer 0.000028836

Thanks for the welcome :)
 
erm … 0.000028836 is just the top line! :biggrin:
 
Woah so it is, what a mistake to make, my new answer is 500640625.
 
I agree with Tiny Tim your arithmetic is 13 orders of magnitude adrift. This is more than a rounding error.
 
Spallation said:
Woah so it is, what a mistake to make, my new answer is 500640625.

:biggrin: Woohoo! :biggrin:

(and you were only out originally by about 1014 ! o:))
 
Indeed, how embarrasing! Thank you for the help.
 
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