At \(1200 \mathrm{~K}\), the approximate temperature of automobile exhaust gases
(Figure 15.15), \(K_{p}\) for the reaction
$$
2 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \mathrm{CO}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g)
$$
is about \(1 \times 10^{-13}\). Assuming that the exhaust gas (total pressure \(1
\mathrm{~atm}\) ) contains \(0.2 \% \mathrm{CO}, 12 \% \mathrm{CO}_{2}\), and \(3
\% \mathrm{O}_{2}\) by volume, is the system at equilibrium with respect to the
\(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) reaction? Based on your conclusion, would the \(\mathrm{CO}\)
concentration in the exhaust be decreased or increased by a catalyst that
speeds up the \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) reaction? Recall that at a fixed pressure and
temperature, volume \(\%=\mathrm{mol} \%\).