A sealed container at constant volume contains the gases involved in the reaction

CHEMISTRY · Single correct · A Level · Chemistry · Chemical equilibria (Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc) · Chemical equilibria (Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc)

Problem

A sealed container at constant volume contains the gases involved in the reaction 2 SO2(g)+O2(g)⇌2 SO3(g)2\,\mathrm{SO}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g)\rightleftharpoons 2\,\mathrm{SO}_{3}(g). Counted particles at a particular moment: • SO2\mathrm{SO}_{2}: 6 particles • O2\mathrm{O}_{2}: 2 particles • SO3\mathrm{SO}_{3}: 1 particle At the same temperature the equilibrium constant is K=3.0K=3.0. Which description best predicts the spontaneous direction of change? (a) The reaction will shift toward reactants, forming more SO2(g)\mathrm{SO}_{2}(g) and O2(g)\mathrm{O}_{2}(g). (b) The mixture is already at equilibrium; no net change will occur. (c) The reaction will shift toward products, forming more SO3(g)\mathrm{SO}_{3}(g). (d) The direction of shift cannot be determined because the equilibrium constant is expressed in pressures, not particle counts.

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