Carbon monoxide reacts reversibly with nitrogen dioxide to form carbon dioxide and…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Chemical equilibria (Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc) · Chemical equilibria (Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc)
Problem
Carbon monoxide reacts reversibly with nitrogen dioxide to form carbon dioxide and nitrogen monoxide in the gas phase, as represented below.
CO(g) + NO₂(g) ⇌ CO₂(g) + NO(g)
At a particular instant in an isothermal reaction vessel, the following rate data are obtained:
• Rate for the forward process (reactants → products): 1.1 × 10⁻⁴ mol·L⁻¹·s⁻¹
• Rate for the reverse process (products → reactants): 3.3 × 10⁻⁵ mol·L⁻¹·s⁻¹
Respond to the tasks that follow.
(a) Calculate the numerical value (with units) of the net rate of conversion for the overall reaction at this instant. Use the sign convention that a positive value corresponds to a net formation of products.
(b) Based on your calculation, state whether the system is shifting toward the product side, toward the reactant side, or is at equilibrium at this instant.