If K₁ is the equilibrium constant for the reaction (1) above, then the value of K₂, the equilibrium constant for the reaction
2OCl⁻(aq) + 2H₂O(l) ⇌ 2HOCl(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) (2)
at the same temperature, is equal to
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 15 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 15
If K₁ is the equilibrium constant for the reaction (1) above, then the value of K₂, the equilibrium constant for the reaction
2OCl⁻(aq) + 2H₂O(l) ⇌ 2HOCl(aq) + 2OH⁻... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:If K₁ is the equilibrium constant for the reaction (1) above, then the value of K₂, the equilibrium constant for the reaction
2OCl⁻(aq) + 2H₂O(l) ⇌ 2HOCl(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq) (2)
at the same temperature, is equal to
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 15 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
Determine the equilibrium expression for reaction (1)
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Answer
Let us assume the equilibrium constant K₁ for the reaction (1) can be represented as:
K1=[reactants][products]
The specific expression will depend on the actual equation being referenced, but typically this would involve the concentrations of the products raised to their stoichiometric coefficients divided by the concentrations of the reactants raised to theirs.
Step 2
Apply the equilibrium principle to reaction (2)
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Answer
For reaction (2):
2OCl−(aq)+2H2O(l)⇌2HOCl(aq)+2OH−(aq)
The equilibrium constant K₂ can be expressed similarly:
K2=[OCl−]2[HOCl]2[OH−]2
Step 3
Relate K₂ to K₁
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Answer
From the stoichiometric coefficients of the balanced equation, we notice that K₂ can be shown as a function of K₁, since changing the coefficients affects the power to which they are raised.
By manipulating K₁ through its relationship to K₂, we find that:
K2=K12
Step 4
Final answer
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Answer
Thus, the answer is D. K₁², indicating that the equilibrium constant for reaction (2) is equal to the square of the constant for reaction (1).
