A chemical reaction between X2 (red) and Y2 (blue) produces XY (red-blue). All compounds are in a gaseous state and each molecul
e represents 0.10 bar of that reactant or product. The picture shown here represents the equilibrium mixture. There are six blue-blue clusters composed of two fused blue spheres, three red-red clusters composed of two fused red spheres, and seven red-blue clusters composed of a red sphere fused with a blue sphere.
Calculate the equilibrium constant for this reaction
The equilibrium constant for this reaction is 1.65.
Solution:
X2: 3, Y2: 6, XY: 7
X₂ + Y₂ ⇌ 2XY
Kc = [XY]² / [X₂][Y₂] = [7]²/[3][6] = 2.72
1mole of equation √(2.72) = 1.65
The equilibrium constant of a chemical reaction is the value of the reaction quotient in chemical equilibrium the state to which a dynamic chemical system approaches when, after sufficient time, its composition exhibits no further measurable tendency to change. Q is the quantity that changes as the reaction system approaches equilibrium. K is the numerical value of Q at the end of the reaction when equilibrium is reached.
Balance Example A book on a table. A car that moves at a constant speed. A chemical reaction in which the forward and reverse kinetics are equal. The specific rate constant k is a constant of proportionality that relates reaction rate to reactant concentration. The rate laws and specific rate constants of chemical reactions must be determined experimentally. The value of the rate constant is temperature dependent.
