Chemistry

Problem

At 450 K, the equilibrium constant for the reaction

\text{SO}_2(g) + \frac{1}{2}\text{O}_2(g) \rightleftharpoons \text{SO}_3(g)

K_p=3.0

. A reaction vessel at 450 K initially contains

P_{\text{SO}_2}=0.40\,\text{atm}

P_{\text{O}_2}=0.30\,\text{atm}

, and

P_{\text{SO}_3}=0.10\,\text{atm}

. Which statement about the direction of the net reaction is most accurate? a)

Q_p=0.83

, which is slightly less than

K_p

, so the mixture will shift toward products to reach equilibrium. b)

Q_p=3.3

, which is greater than

K_p

, so the mixture will shift toward reactants to reach equilibrium. c)

Q_p=0.46

, which is much less than

K_p

, so the mixture will shift toward products to reach equilibrium. d)

Q_p=0.46

, which is less than

K_p

, so the mixture will shift toward reactants to reach equilibrium.