A rigid 1.0 L container at 298 K contains a gaseous mixture involved in the decomposition reaction
N2O4(g) ⇌ 2 NO2(g)
A particulate–level snapshot of the container shows exactly 4 discrete N2O4 molecules and 10 discrete NO2 molecules. Assume ideal‐gas behavior and that each particle shown represents one mole of that species.
Using only the information contained in the snapshot and the equilibrium constant value Kc = 0.16 at 298 K, analyze the state of the system.
(a) Without performing a numerical calculation of a ratio, describe qualitatively whether the reaction mixture must shift toward reactants, shift toward products, or remain unchanged in order to reach equilibrium. Clearly articulate the reasoning behind your prediction by referencing the relative abundance of particles shown.
(b) Explain how the simultaneous presence of both N2O4 and NO2 in the snapshot supports the concept of dynamic equilibrium once the system has finished shifting.