A blast-furnace step can be modeled by the following heterogeneous equilibrium that…

CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Equilibrium · Equilibrium

Problem

A blast-furnace step can be modeled by the following heterogeneous equilibrium that reduces iron oxides with hydrogen:

\text{Fe}_3\text{O}_4(s)+4\,\text{H}_2(g)\rightleftharpoons3\,\text{Fe}(s)+4\,\text{H}_2\text{O}(g)\quad(1)

At 900 K, this equilibrium has a tabulated value

K_p=0.360

. (a) Derive the expression for

K_p

corresponding to reaction (1), clearly indicating all substances that appear and all that are omitted. (b) A sealed furnace at 900 K initially contains

P_{\text{H}_2}=1.20\,\text{atm}

and

P_{\text{H}_2\text{O}}=0.250\,\text{atm}

, along with excess solid

\text{Fe}_3\text{O}_4

and

\text{Fe}

. Calculate the reaction quotient

Q_p

for the initial state. (c) Compare

Q_p

with the given

K_p

and predict the spontaneous direction in which the system will shift. Justify your answer quantitatively. (d) After equilibrium is reached, the furnace operator withdraws 50 kg of solid iron. Explain quantitatively and qualitatively whether this removal alters the equilibrium partial pressures of

\text{H}_2

and

\text{H}_2\text{O}

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