Equilibrium in a system containing I2 and I

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equilibrium of a system containing iodine (I2) and iodine atoms (I), specifically addressing how to calculate their contributions to total pressure in terms of partial pressures. The conversation explores the appropriate methods for calculating these contributions, including the use of mole fractions and volume compositions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether both I2 and I contribute separately to the total pressure as partial pressures.
  • There is a suggestion that mole fraction should work for calculating contributions, although one participant expresses that it did not yield the expected answer in their case.
  • A participant proposes that using stoichiometric coefficients instead of mole fractions led to a mistake in their calculations.
  • Another participant clarifies that mole fraction is defined as the number of moles of a substance over the total number of moles of all substances involved, and suggests that stoichiometry is not always necessary for calculating mole fractions.
  • There is a discussion about the conditions under which mole fractions and stoichiometric coefficients can be considered equivalent, particularly in relation to complete reactions without limiting reagents.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the calculation methods for partial pressures, with some supporting the use of mole fractions while others highlight potential pitfalls. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to take in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a consensus on the correct method for calculating partial pressures, and there are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions of the reaction and the definitions used in calculations.

Kaushik
Messages
282
Reaction score
17
Summary:: .

Consider a container consisting of I2 and I in equilibrium.
I2 <-> 2I (Is there any to write chemical equations here?)
Will both of them separately contribute to the total pressure (as partial pressures)?
If no, why?
If yes, should we use mole fraction or volume composition to calculate individual contribution? I thought mole fraction was the right approach but unfortunately, in this case, it did not yield the answer.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Doesn’t work like it used to...
 
Last edited:
Kaushik said:
Will both of them separately contribute to the total pressure (as partial pressures)?

Yes.

If yes, should we use mole fraction or volume composition to calculate individual contribution?

Most likely many ways to skin that cat, mole fraction should work OK.

I thought mole fraction was the right approach but unfortunately, in this case, it did not yield the answer.

Hard to comment not knowing what was the question, what was the answer given as a correct one, what you did nor what was the answer you got.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Kaushik
Borek said:
Hard to comment not knowing what was the question, what was the answer given as a correct one, what you did nor what was the answer you got.
I think I just figured out the mistake. I took the ratio stoichiometric coefficients instead of the mole fraction.
Using ##PV = nRT## we can show that taking volume composition is the same as taking a mole fraction.

Yeah btw, one more question. Taking stoichiometric coefficients is same as taking mole fraction if and only if the reaction is of the form ##n(aA + bB -> cC + dD)##. Isn't it? Like mole of A is 'na', B is 'nb' and so on...So can we conclude it by saying that taking mole fraction is the same as stoichiometric coefficients if and only if there is no reactant left and everything is reacted completely (no limiting reagent)?
(it might be confusing...I couldn't express it properly. Hopefully, you will understand)
 
Not sure what you mean. Molar fraction is number of moles of the substance over total number of moles of all substances involved. In some cases it can be calculated with the help of stoichiometry, but that's not necessary - molar fraction of oxygen in the air is quite easy to calculate even if it doesn't react with any other atmosphere components.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Kaushik

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K