Chemistry

Chemistry

Problem

For 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)}, a 5.00 L rigid container at 900 K is charged with 1.00 mol SO2\mathrm{SO_2}, 0.500 mol O2\mathrm{O_2}, and 0.200 mol SO3\mathrm{SO_3}. Determine the reaction quotient QcQ_c at this moment.
Intuitive explanation

The reaction quotient QcQ_c tells you whether the system is at equilibrium or which direction it will shift to get there. It's calculated exactly like the equilibrium constant expression KcK_c—using the same formula with concentrations—but applied to the current state rather than the equilibrium state. Convert moles to molarity using the container volume, then plug those concentrations into the equilibrium expression with products over reactants, each raised to their stoichiometric coefficients.

Intuitive explanation

The reaction quotient QcQ_c tells you whether the system is at equilibrium or which direction it will shift to get there. It's calculated exactly like the equilibrium constant expression KcK_c—using the same formula with concentrations—but applied to the current state rather than the equilibrium state. Convert moles to molarity using the container volume, then plug those concentrations into the equilibrium expression with products over reactants, each raised to their stoichiometric coefficients.

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