How to find equilibrium pressure when volume changes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the equilibrium pressures of an equilibrium mixture of N2O4 and NO2 when the volume of the system is doubled at constant temperature. Participants explore concepts related to Le Chatelier's principle, equilibrium constants, and the implications of volume changes on partial pressures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that doubling the volume results in halving the pressure and suggest that the equilibrium will shift toward the side with more moles of gas, specifically toward the production of NO2.
  • One participant mentions that the equilibrium constant remains unchanged despite changes in volume and pressure, emphasizing that it is dependent only on temperature.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about whether partial pressures remain unchanged with volume changes and questions the source of additional particles when the volume increases.
  • A participant provides a method to calculate new equilibrium pressures using an ICE table approach, suggesting that the change in pressure for N2O4 and NO2 can be expressed in terms of a variable x.
  • There is a query regarding the value of the equilibrium constant (K) used in calculations, specifically whether it is Kp or Kc, and why the initial pressure of NO2 is not included in the equilibrium expression.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the implications of volume changes on equilibrium pressures. There is no consensus on the interpretation of how partial pressures change or the calculation of the equilibrium constant.

Contextual Notes

Some participants are uncertain about the assumptions underlying the calculations, such as the treatment of equilibrium constants and the relationship between pressure and volume changes. The discussion includes unresolved mathematical steps and differing interpretations of the equilibrium expressions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and individuals interested in chemical equilibrium, particularly in understanding the effects of volume changes on equilibrium systems and the application of Le Chatelier's principle.

dnt
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question: an equilibrium mixture contains N2O4 (P=0.27 atm) and NO2 (P=1.2 atm) at 350K. the volume is doubled at constant temperature. calculate the equilibrium pressure of both at new equilibrium.

what i know: when you double volume, pressure is halved and le chatliers principle says the equation will shift to the side with more moles of gas:

N2O4 <--> 2NO2

which in this case will shift to the right.

and i also know you cannot simply just half the pressures of each.

how do i start the rest of this problem? is it an ICE problem? any help to get started would be appreciated. thanks.
 
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dnt said:
question: an equilibrium mixture contains N2O4 (P=0.27 atm) and NO2 (P=1.2 atm) at 350K. the volume is doubled at constant temperature. calculate the equilibrium pressure of both at new equilibrium.
what i know: when you double volume, pressure is halved and le chatliers principle says the equation will shift to the side with more moles of gas:
N2O4 <--> 2NO2
which in this case will shift to the right.
and i also know you cannot simply just half the pressures of each.
how do i start the rest of this problem? is it an ICE problem? any help to get started would be appreciated. thanks.
That's right, when the volume doubles, the pressure decreases. and the nb of particles increases too. But after a short time, the system is back to equilibrium according to Le Chatliers principle. It means that the equilibrium constant (K) remains unchanged.
Remember that the equilibrium constant is only dependent of the temperature (T), according

\ln(\frac{K_2}{K_1})=-\frac{\Delta H}{R}({1\over T_2}\,-\,{1\over T_1})

\Delta H:\,\,\,is \,\,entalpy
 
still a little confused. does this mean the partial pressure does not change as volume changes? i don't understand why the number pf particles increases too - where do these extra particles come from?

and therefore, if volume and pressure changes do not change equilibrium partial pressures (if i am reading that correctly) what does? is temperature the only thing?
 
dnt said:
still a little confused. does this mean the partial pressure does not change as volume changes? i don't understand why the number pf particles increases too - where do these extra particles come from?
and therefore, if volume and pressure changes do not change equilibrium partial pressures (if i am reading that correctly) what does? is temperature the only thing?
OK, I will try to explain. Despite english is not my language. Of course if volume (V) increases, the nb of particles (N) increases according pV = nRT and you know that n = N/NA, and pressure will diminish. But it's easy to calculate the new equilibrium pressure with this method, Given the reaction:

N_2O_4 \leftrightharpoons 2NO_2

P(start): P(N_2O_4)=0,27 \,\, and \,\, P(NO_2)=1,2

\Delta P(N_2O_4)=-x\,\,and\,\,\Delta P(NO_2)=2x

\Delta P_{eq}(N_2O_4)=0,27-x\,\,and\,\,\Delta P_{eq}(NO_2)=2x

K=5,33=\frac{(P(NO_2))^2}{P(N_2O_4}=\frac{(2x)^2}{0,27-x}

solve this eqation, and we get x = 0,23
that is

P(N_2O_4)=0,04\,atm
and
P(NO_2)=0,46\,atm
 
where did you get K = 5.33? and is that Kp or Kc? and why isn't Peq for NO2 = 1.2 + 2x? where did the 1.2 go?

thanks for all your help.
 

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