In which of the following equilibria, Kp and Kc are NOT equal?
Correct Answer :
Solution :
The relationship between the equilibrium constant expressed in terms of partial pressures () and the equilibrium constant expressed in terms of molar concentrations () is given by the following equation:
where:
• is the universal gas constant,
• is the absolute temperature in Kelvin, and
• is the change in the number of moles of gaseous products and gaseous reactants:
For and to be equal:
which occurs when .
Conversely, and are NOT equal when .
Let us evaluate for each given option:
Option 1:
• Gaseous moles of products = 1 (from ) + 1 (from ) = 2
• Gaseous moles of reactants = 1 (from )
•
Since , for this reaction.
Option 2:
• Gaseous moles of products = 2
• Gaseous moles of reactants = 1 + 1 = 2
•
Here, .
Option 3:
• Gaseous moles of products = 1 + 1 = 2
• Gaseous moles of reactants = 1 + 1 = 2
•
Here, .
Option 4:
• Gaseous moles of products = 1 + 1 = 2
• Gaseous moles of reactants = 2
•
Here, .
Therefore, the equilibrium in which and are not equal is:
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