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Exercises · 6.2

Q.What is K c for the following equilibrium when the equilibrium concentration of each substance is: [SO2]= 0.60M, [O2] = 0.82M and [SO3] = 1.90M ? 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g)

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Write the equilibrium expression from the balanced equation, substitute the given concentrations with proper stoichiometric exponents, and calculate. Kc=12.2K_c = 12.2

The equilibrium constant KcK_c captures the ratio of product to reactant concentrations at equilibrium, with each species raised to the power of its stoichiometric coefficient. It tells us where the equilibrium "sits"—whether products or reactants are favored. For any reaction, once you know the balanced equation, the form of KcK_c is fixed by the stoichiometry.

For the reaction:

2SO2(g)+O2(g)⇌2SO3(g)2\text{SO}_2(g) + \text{O}_2(g) \rightleftharpoons 2\text{SO}_3(g)

the equilibrium constant expression is:

Kc=[SO3]2[SO2]2[O2]K_c = \frac{[\text{SO}_3]^2}{[\text{SO}_2]^2[\text{O}_2]}

Notice that products go in the numerator, reactants in the denominator, and each concentration is raised to the power matching its coefficient in the balanced equation.


Step-by-step calculation:

  1. Identify the equilibrium concentrations from the problem:

    • [SO2]=0.60 M[\text{SO}_2] = 0.60 \, \text{M}
    • [O2]=0.82 M[\text{O}_2] = 0.82 \, \text{M}
    • [SO3]=1.90 M[\text{SO}_3] = 1.90 \, \text{M}
  2. Write the KcK_c expression using the stoichiometric coefficients:

Kc=[SO3]2[SO2]2[O2]K_c = \frac{[\text{SO}_3]^2}{[\text{SO}_2]^2[\text{O}_2]}

  1. Substitute the equilibrium concentrations into the expression:

Kc=(1.90)2(0.60)2×(0.82)K_c = \frac{(1.90)^2}{(0.60)^2 \times (0.82)}

  1. Calculate the numerator:

(1.90)2=3.61(1.90)^2 = 3.61

  1. Calculate the denominator:

(0.60)2=0.36(0.60)^2 = 0.36

0.36×0.82=0.29520.36 \times 0.82 = 0.2952

  1. Divide to find KcK_c:

Kc=3.610.2952≈12.23K_c = \frac{3.61}{0.2952} \approx 12.23

Rounding to three significant figures (matching the precision of the given data):

Kc≈12.2K_c \approx 12.2

Tip

Always check that your KcK_c expression matches the balanced equation exactly—coefficients become exponents, and only aqueous and gaseous species appear (pure solids and liquids are omitted).

✓Final answer

The equilibrium constant is Kc=12.2\boxed{K_c = 12.2}.

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