Question

The equilibrium constant for the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2SO3(g) is 7 × 103 at a certain temperature. If at equilibrium, [SO2] = 0.0451 M and [O2] = 0.078 M, what is the equilibrium [SO3]?

Answer 1

Answer 2

The equilibrium constant expression for the reaction is:

Kc = [SO3]^2 / ([SO2]^2 [O2])

We are given the equilibrium constant, Kc, and the equilibrium concentrations of SO2 and O2. We can use these values to solve for the equilibrium concentration of SO3.

First, substitute the given equilibrium concentrations into the equilibrium constant expression:

7 × 10^3 = [SO3]^2 / ([SO2]^2 [O2]) 7 × 10^3 = [SO3]^2 / [(0.0451 M)^2 × (0.078 M)] 7 × 10^3 = [SO3]^2 / 1.24 × 10^-5

Next, solve for [SO3]:

[SO3]^2 = 7 × 10^3 × 1.24 × 10^-5 [SO3]^2 = 0.08708 × 10^-2 [SO3] = sqrt(0.08708 × 10^-2) [SO3] = 0.0932 M

Therefore, the equilibrium concentration of SO3 is 0.0932 M.