The following gas-phase equilibrium is studied at 800 K: 2 SO (g) + O (g) ⇌ 2 SO (g)…

CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Gaseous equilibria (Kp) · Gaseous equilibria (Kp)

Problem

The following gas-phase equilibrium is studied at 800 K: 2 SO

_2

(g) + O

_2

(g) ⇌ 2 SO

_3

(g)

K_p = 3.0

A sealed 10.0 L container at 800 K is charged with the following gases: P

_{\text{SO}_2}

= 150 torr, P

_{\text{O}_2}

= 120 torr, and P

_{\text{SO}_3}

= 250 torr. (1) Convert each of the given partial pressures to atmospheres. (2) Using the converted values, calculate the reaction quotient

Q_p

for the mixture. (3) Compare

Q_p

with the equilibrium constant

K_p

and predict the direction in which the system will proceed to attain equilibrium. Support your answer quantitatively.