How Do You Calculate Equilibrium Partial Pressures in a Chemical Reaction?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating equilibrium partial pressures for the reaction 2 HI(g) <--> H2(g) + I2(g) at 600 K, where the equilibrium constant (K) is 38.6. The initial pressure of HI is 0.725 atm. The user attempts to set up the equilibrium expression K = [H2][I2]/[HI]^2 and derives a quadratic equation to solve for x, representing the change in pressure. The correct solution involves solving the quadratic equation x^2 - 1.45x - 38.074 = 0, leading to the determination of partial pressures for HI, H2, and I2.

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Xels
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Homework Statement



At 600 K the equilibrium constant is 38.6 for the reaction

2 HI(g) <--> H2(g) + I2(g)

Start with a pressure of 0.725 atm consisting of only HI(g) at 600 K. Calculate the equilibrium
partial pressures of HI, H2 and I2.

Homework Equations


K=[C]^n[D]^n/[A]^n
Qp = 0 (shift to the right)
ax^2+bx+c
x=((-b+/-((b^2-4ac)^(1/2)))/(2a))


The Attempt at a Solution


Given the gas state atm is treated as mol

2HI H2 I2
I .725 0 0
C -2x x x
E .725-x x x

38.6 = (x*x)/(.725-x)^2
38.6 = (x*x)/(x^2-1.45x+.526)
x^2-1.45x-38.074 = 0

x=((1.45+/-((1.45^2-4*1*38.074)^(1/2)))/(2*1))
+x= 5.48
-x = -6.94 (discounted)

I'm either doing it totally wrong or I'm clueless as to where to go from here. I'm assuming I need to find the final pressure of x and then calculate partial pressure using Pa/Pt etc.
 
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Xels said:
C -2x x x
E .725-x x x

Some inconsistency here...

And I have not checked details, but solving

38.6 = (x*x)/(.725-x)^2

doesn't yield

+x= 5.48
-x = -6.94
 
I got +/- x by solving (x*x)/(.725-x)^2 quadratically. I'm not sure where to go past this to find partial pressures.
 
After much reworking I found my error. Thanks for your input Borek.
 

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