6.6 APPLICATIONS OF EQUILIBRIUM in the denominator). This implies that a high value of K is suggestive of a high concentration CONSTANTS of products and vice-versa.Before considering the applications of We can make the following generalisationsequilibrium constants, let us summarise the concerning the composition of equilibriumimportant features of equilibrium constants mixtures:as follows: 1. Expression for equilibrium constant is • If Kc > 103, products predominate over applicable only when concentrations of reactants, i.e., if Kc is very large, the the reactants and products have attained reaction proceeds nearly to completion. constant value at equilibrium state. Consider the following examples: 2. The value of equilibrium constant is (a) The reaction of H2 with O2 at 500 K independent of initial concentrations of has a very large equilibrium constant, the reactants and products. Kc = 2.4 × 1047. 3. Equilibrium constant is temperature (b) H2(g) + Cl2(g) 2HCl(g) at 300K has dependent having one unique value for Kc = 4.0 × 1031. a particular reaction represented by a (c) H2(g) + Br2(g) 2HBr (g) at 300 K, balanced equation at a given temperature. Kc = 5.4 × 1018 4. The equilibrium constant for the reverse • If Kc < 10–3, reactants predominate over reaction is equal to the inverse of the products, i.e., if Kc is very small, the equilibrium constant for the forward reaction proceeds rarely. Consider the reaction. following examples: Reprint 2025-26 182 chemistry (a) The decomposition of H2O into H2 and If Qc = Kc, the reaction mixture is already O2 at 500 K has a very small equilibrium at equilibrium. constant, Kc = 4.1 × 10–48 Consider the gaseous reaction of H2 (b) N2(g) + O2(g) 2NO(g), with I2, at 298 K has Kc = 4.8 ×10–31. H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g); Kc = 57.0 at 700 K. • If Kc is in the range of 10 – 3 to 103, Suppose we have molar concentrations appreciable concentrations of both [H2]t=0.10M, [I2]t = 0.20 M and [HI]t = 0.40 M. reactants and products are present. (the subscript t on the concentration symbols Consider the following examples: means that the concentrations were measured at some arbitrary time t, not necessarily at(a) For reaction of H2 with I2 to give HI, equilibrium). Kc = 57.0 at 700K. Thus, the reaction quotient, Qc at this(b) Also, gas phase decomposition of N2O4 stage of the reaction is given by, to NO2 is another reaction with a value 2 –3 Qc = [HI]t / [H2]t [I2]t = (0.40)2/ (0.10)×(0.20) of Kc = 4.64 × 10 at 25°C which is neither too small nor too large. Hence, = 8.0 equilibrium mixtures contain appreciable Now, in this case, Qc (8.0) does not equal concentrations of both N2O4 and NO2. Kc (57.0), so the mixture of H2(g), I2(g) and HI(g) These generarlisations are illustrated in is not at equilibrium; that is, more H2(g) and Fig. 6.6 I2(g) will react to form more HI(g) and their concentrations will decrease till Qc = Kc. The reaction quotient, Qc is useful in predicting the direction of reaction by comparing the values of Qc and Kc. Thus, we can make the following generalisations concerning the direction of the reaction (Fig. 6.7) :Fig.6.6 Dependence of extent of reaction on Kc 6.6.2 Predicting the Direction of the Reaction The equilibrium constant helps in predicting the direction in which a given reaction will proceed at any stage. For this purpose, we calculate the reaction quotient Q. The reaction quotient, Q (Qc with molar Fig. 6.7 Predicting the direction of the reactionconcentrations and QP with partial pressures) is defined in the same way as the equilibrium • If Qc < Kc, net reaction goes from left to constant Kc except that the concentrations right in Qc are not necessarily equilibrium values. • If Qc > Kc, net reaction goes from right to For a general reaction: left. a A + b B c C + d D (6.19) • If Qc = Kc, no net reaction occurs. Qc = [C]c[D]d / [A]a[B]b (6.20) Problem 6.7 Then, The value of Kc for the reaction If Qc > Kc, the reaction will proceed in the 2A B + C is 2 × 10–3. At a given time, direction of reactants (reverse reaction). the composition of reaction mixture is [A] = [B] = [C] = 3 × 10–4 M. In which direction If Qc < Kc, the reaction will proceed in the the reaction will proceed?direction of the products (forward reaction). Reprint 2025-26 EQUILIBRIUM 183 Solution The total pressure at equilbrium was For the reaction the reaction quotient Qc is found to be 9.15 bar. Calculate Kc, Kp and given by, partial pressure at equilibrium. Qc = [B][C]/ [A]2 Solution as [A] = [B] = [C] = 3 × 10–4M Qc = (3 ×10–4)(3 × 10–4) / (3 ×10–4)2 = 1 We know pV = nRT as Qc > Kc so the reaction will proceed in the Total volume (V ) = 1 L reverse direction. Molecular mass of N2O4 = 92 g 6.6.3 Calculating Equilibrium Number of moles = 13.8g/92 g = 0.15 Concentrations of the gas (n) In case of a problem in which we know the Gas constant (R) = 0.083 bar L mol–1K–1 initial concentrations but do not know any of Temperature (T ) = 400 K the equilibrium concentrations, the following pV = nRTthree steps shall be followed: Step 1. Write the balanced equation for the p × 1L = 0.15 mol × 0.083 bar L mol–1K–1 × 400 Kreaction. Step 2. Under the balanced equation, make p = 4.98 bar a table that lists for each substance involved N2O4 2NO2 in the reaction: Initial pressure: 4.98 bar 0 (a) the initial concentration, At equilibrium: (4.98 – x) bar 2x bar (b) the change in concentration on going to Hence, equilibrium, and ptotal at equilibrium = pN2O4 + pNO2(c) the equilibrium concentration. 9.15 = (4.98 – x) + 2x In constructing the table, define x as the 9.15 = 4.98 + xconcentration (mol/L) of one of the substances that reacts on going to equilibrium, then use x = 9.15 – 4.98 = 4.17 bar the stoichiometry of the reaction to determine Partial pressures at equilibrium are, the concentrations of the other substances in terms of x. pN2O4 = 4.98 – 4.17 = 0.81bar Step 3. Substitute the equilibrium pNO2 = 2x = 22 × 4.17 = 8.34 bar concentrations into the equilibrium equation K p = p N 2O 4  p NO 2 / for the reaction and solve for x. If you are = (8.34)2/0.81 = 85.87to solve a quadratic equation choose the mathematical solution that makes chemical Kp = Kc(RT)∆n sense. 85.87 = Kc(0.083 × 400)1 Step 4. Calculate the equilibrium Kc = 2.586 = 2.6 concentrations from the calculated value of x. Problem 6.9Step 5. Check your results by substituting them into the equilibrium equation. 3.00 mol of PCl5 kept in 1L closed reaction vessel was allowed to attain equilibrium at 380K. Calculate composition of the Problem 6.8 mixture at equilibrium. Kc= 1.80 13.8g of N2O4 was placed in a 1L reaction Solution vessel at 400K and allowed to attain PCl5 PCl3 + Cl2 equilibrium Initial N2O4 (g) 2NO2 (g) concentration: 3.0 0 0 Reprint 2025-26 184 chemistry Taking antilog of both sides, we get, Let x mol per litre of PCl5 be dissociated, K = e–∆G/RT (6.23) At equilibrium: (3-x) x x Hence, using the equation (6.23), the reaction spontaneity can be interpreted in Kc = [PCl3][Cl2]/[PCl5] terms of the value of ∆G . 1.8 = x2/ (3 – x) • If ∆G  < 0, then –∆G /RT is positive, x2 + 1.8x – 5.4 = 0 and e –∆DG /RT>1, making K >1, which x = [–1.8 ± √(1.8)2 – 4(–5.4)]/2 implies a spontaneous reaction or the x = [–1.8 ± √3.24 + 21.6]/2 reaction which proceeds in the forward direction to such an extent that the x = [–1.8 ± 4.98]/2 products are present predominantly. x = [–1.8 + 4.98]/2 = 1.59 • If ∆G  > 0, then –∆G /RT is negative, and [PCl5] = 3.0 – x = 3 –1.59 = 1.41 M e –∆G </RT 1, that is , K < 1, which implies [PCl3] = [Cl2] = x = 1.59 M a non-spontaneous reaction or a reaction which proceeds in the forward direction

8.17 Complete each synthesis by giving missing starting material, reagent or products

1.35 Henry’s law constant for the molality of methane in benzene at 298 K is 4.27 × 105 mm Hg. Calculate the solubility of methane in benzene at 298 K under 760 mm Hg.