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Consider the following reaction: $$ \mathrm{PCl}_{5}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{PCl}_{3}(g)+\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g) $$ At a specific temperature, the equilibrium concentrations were determined to be \(\left[\mathrm{PCl}_{5}\right]=0.20 M,\left[\mathrm{PCl}_{3}\right]=0.025 M\), and \(\left[\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\right]=0.025 \mathrm{M}\). (a) What is the value of the equilibrium constant? (b) Describe the position of the equilibrium.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The value of the equilibrium constant (K) for the reaction is 0.003125, indicating that at equilibrium, the reactants are favored over the products, implying that the position of equilibrium is on the left (reactants side).

Step by step solution

01

Write the Expression for the Equilibrium Constant

To start, write the expression for the equilibrium constant (K). For the given reaction, since it is a dissociation reaction, K will be the product of the concentrations of the products ( \(PCl_3\) and \(Cl_2\) ) divided by the concentration of the reactant ( \(PCl_5\) ) . This can be represented as \( K = \frac{[PCl_3][Cl_2]}{[PCl_5]} \)
02

Substitute Concentration Values

Insert the equilibrium concentrations into the formula. So, \( K = \frac{(0.025 M)(0.025 M)}{0.20 M} \)
03

Calculate the Equilibrium Constant

Now, calculate the value for the equilibrium constant K. After performing the calculation, you get \( K = 0.003125 \)
04

Interpret the Position of the Equilibrium

Because K is far less than 1, this means that at equilibrium, the concentration of the reactants, in this case \(PCl_5\), is greater than the concentration of the products (\(PCl_3\) and \(Cl_2\)). So, the position of the equilibrium favors the reactants.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Chemical Equilibrium
Chemical equilibrium is a key concept in understanding how chemical reactions occur and how they can be controlled. It represents a state in which the rate of the forward reaction matches the rate of the reverse reaction, resulting in no net change in the concentration of reactants and products over time. Although reactions are still occurring, they do so in a way that maintains a constant concentration ratio.

In the exercise involving the reaction \(\mathrm{PCl}_{5}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{PCl}_{3}(g)+\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g)\), chemical equilibrium is reached when the rate at which \(\mathrm{PCl}_{5}\) decomposes into \(\mathrm{PCl}_{3}\) and \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) is equal to the rate at which \(\mathrm{PCl}_{3}\) and \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) combine to form \(\mathrm{PCl}_{5}\). As a result, the concentrations of \(\mathrm{PCl}_{5}\), \(\mathrm{PCl}_{3}\), and \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) remain unchanged in a dynamic equilibrium.
Reaction Quotient
The reaction quotient, \(Q\), is a measure that allows chemists to determine the direction in which a reaction will proceed to achieve equilibrium. It is calculated in the same manner as the equilibrium constant (\(K\)), but with the concentrations (or partial pressures) of reactants and products at any moment in time, not just at equilibrium.

For the given reaction, \(Q\) would be calculated as \( Q = \frac{[PCl_3][Cl_2]}{[PCl_5]} \). If \(Q < K\), the reaction will proceed forward to produce more products and reach equilibrium. Conversely, if \(Q > K\), the reaction will move in reverse to produce more reactants. When \(Q = K\), the system is at equilibrium, indicating no further change in the concentration of reactants and products.
Le Chatelier's Principle
Le Chatelier's principle is an essential rule in chemical equilibrium that predicts how a system at equilibrium will respond to changes in concentration, temperature, or pressure. The principle states that if a stress is applied to a system at equilibrium, the system will adjust in such a way as to counteract the stress and re-establish equilibrium.

For instance, if the concentration of a reactant is increased, the system will shift towards forming more products, thus decreasing the concentration of the added reactant. Conversely, removing a product from the system will shift the equilibrium to produce more of that product. Similarly, changes in temperature and pressure can also cause shifts in the direction of the equilibrium. This principle is instrumental in optimizing chemical reactions in industrial processes to maximize the yield of desired products.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

If the initial concentrations of reactants and products are substituted into the equilibrium constant expression, and the value obtained is greater than the equilibrium constant, is the system in a state of equilibrium? If not, in which direction will the reaction shift to reach equilibrium? Explain.

Consider the following system at equilibrium: $$ \mathrm{NO}(g)+\mathrm{SO}_{3}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{SO}_{2}(g) $$ For each of the following changes, predict whether the equilibrium concentration of \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}\) will increase or decrease. (a) a decrease in the concentration of NO (b) an increase in the concentration of \(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\) (c) an increase in the concentration of \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) (d) a decrease in the concentration of \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\)

How can we apply Le Chatelier's principle to help us form more reactants or more products at equilibrium?

Consider the following exothermic reaction: $$ 4 \mathrm{NH}_{3}(g)+5 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons 4 \mathrm{NO}(g)+6 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) $$ Which of the following changes will increase the number of moles of NO at equilibrium? Explain why or why not for each change. (a) remove \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) (b) decrease volume (c) decrease temperature (d) add \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) (e) add a catalyst

Consider the following system at equilibrium: $$ \mathrm{CO}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2}(g) $$ Will the number of moles of reactants or products change if we increase the volume of the reaction container? Explain your answer.

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