Skip to content
NCERT Exemplar · Q1

Q.We know that the relationship between Kc and Kp is
Kp = Kc (RT)^Δn
What would be the value of Δn for the reaction
NH4Cl (s) ⇌ NH3

(g) + HCl
(g)
(i) 1
(ii) 0.5
(iii) 1.5
(iv) 2
Punjab PsebMCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★est
66% · 102/155 Questions
✓ Free question

Δn\Delta n is the change in moles of gas between products and reactants. For the decomposition of solid ammonium chloride into two gaseous products, Δn=2\Delta n = 2.

The relationship Kp=Kc(RT)ΔnK_p = K_c(RT)^{\Delta n} connects the equilibrium constants expressed in partial pressures and concentrations. The exponent Δn\Delta n captures how the number of gas molecules changes during the reaction, because pressure and concentration scale differently when the total mole count shifts.

The key insight: only gaseous species contribute to Δn\Delta n. Solids and liquids have fixed activities (essentially constant concentrations) and do not appear in the equilibrium expression in a way that depends on volume or pressure.

For the general reaction

aA+bB⇌cC+dDaA + bB \rightleftharpoons cC + dD

we define

Δn=(sum of stoichiometric coefficients of gaseous products)−(sum of stoichiometric coefficients of gaseous reactants)\Delta n = (\text{sum of stoichiometric coefficients of gaseous products}) - (\text{sum of stoichiometric coefficients of gaseous reactants})

Now let's apply this to the given reaction:

NHX4Cl(s) ⇌NHX3(g)+HCl(g)\ce{NH4Cl (s) \rightleftharpoons NH3 (g) + HCl (g)}

  1. Identify the gaseous species on the product side.

    We have NHX3(g)\ce{NH3 (g)} with coefficient 1 and HCl(g)\ce{HCl (g)} with coefficient 1.

    Total moles of gaseous products = 1+1=21 + 1 = 2.

  2. Identify the gaseous species on the reactant side.

    NHX4Cl\ce{NH4Cl} is a solid. It does not contribute to Δn\Delta n.

    Total moles of gaseous reactants = 00.

  3. Calculate Δn\Delta n.

Δn=2−0=2\Delta n = 2 - 0 = 2

The reaction starts with zero gas molecules (just a solid) and produces two gas molecules. This doubling of the gas-phase particle count means that KpK_p will differ from KcK_c by a factor of (RT)2(RT)^2.

Watch out

A common mistake is to count the solid NHX4Cl\ce{NH4Cl} in Δn\Delta n. Remember: solids and pure liquids are omitted from equilibrium expressions because their activities are constant, so they play no role in the Δn\Delta n calculation.

✓Final answer

The correct option is (iv) 22.

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.