Question

Consider the following equilibrium: 4KO2(s) + 2H2O(g) 4KOH(s) + 3O2(g) Which of the following is a correct equilibrium expression?

Answer 1

To be able to write correctly the equilibrium expression of a reaction, we need to know the balanced reaction and the phases of the substances in the reaction. When substances are solid, pure liquid they are not included in the expression. We do as follows:

4KO2(s) + 2H2O(g) = 4KOH(s) + 3O2(g)

K = [O2]^3 / [H2O]^2