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The mixture reaches equilibrium at 325 °C according to the following balanced equation: $$N_2O_4(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NO_2(g)$$ colourless brown When equilibrium is reached, it is observed that the colour of the gas in the syringe is brown - NSC Physical Sciences - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 2

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The-mixture-reaches-equilibrium-at-325-°C-according-to-the-following-balanced-equation:--$$N_2O_4(g)-\rightleftharpoons-2NO_2(g)$$--colourless--brown--When-equilibrium-is-reached,-it-is-observed-that-the-colour-of-the-gas-in-the-syringe-is-brown-NSC Physical Sciences-Question 6-2018-Paper 2.png

The mixture reaches equilibrium at 325 °C according to the following balanced equation: $$N_2O_4(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NO_2(g)$$ colourless brown When equilibri... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The mixture reaches equilibrium at 325 °C according to the following balanced equation: $$N_2O_4(g) \rightleftharpoons 2NO_2(g)$$ colourless brown When equilibrium is reached, it is observed that the colour of the gas in the syringe is brown - NSC Physical Sciences - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 2

Step 1

6.1 State Le Chatelier's principle.

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Answer

Le Chatelier's principle states that when an equilibrium in a closed system is disturbed, the system will adjust itself to counteract the disturbance and establish a new equilibrium.

Step 2

6.2 Is the forward reaction EXOTHERMIC or ENDOTHERMIC? Explain the answer using Le Chatelier's principle.

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Answer

The forward reaction is ENDOTHERMIC because a decrease in temperature (as in cooling the system by dipping in ice water) favours the exothermic reverse reaction. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the system shifts in the direction that counteracts the temperature decrease, leading to a higher concentration of N2O4N_2O_4.

Step 3

6.3.1 The number of moles of $N_2O_4$.

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Answer

DECREASES. Reducing the volume of the syringe increases the concentration of gases, thus favouring the side with fewer moles, which is the N2O4N_2O_4.

Step 4

6.3.2 The value of the equilibrium constant.

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Answer

REMAINS THE SAME. The equilibrium constant is dependent on temperature and not on changes in pressure or volume.

Step 5

6.3.3 The rate of the forward and reverse reactions.

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INCREASES. Decreasing the volume increases concentrations, which in turn increases the frequency of collisions and thus the rates of both the forward and reverse reactions.

Step 6

6.4 If the equilibrium constant, $K_c$, for the reaction is 0.16 at 325 °C, calculate the value of $X$.

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Answer

Let the initial moles of N2O4N_2O_4 be XX.

At equilibrium, 20% of N2O4N_2O_4 has decomposed:

Moles of N2O4N_2O_4 at equilibrium = 0.8X0.8X, Moles of NO2NO_2 formed = 20.2X2 * 0.2X = 0.4X0.4X.

Using the formula for equilibrium constant:

Kc=[NO2]2[N2O4]K_c = \frac{[NO_2]^2}{[N_2O_4]}

Substituting in the values gives:

0.16=(0.4X/2)20.8X/20.16 = \frac{(0.4X / 2)^2}{0.8X / 2}

Solving for XX: 0.16=(0.2X)20.4X0.16=0.04X20.4X0.16=0.1XX=1.6.0.16 = \frac{(0.2X)^2}{0.4X}\Longrightarrow 0.16 = \frac{0.04X^2}{0.4X}\Longrightarrow 0.16 = 0.1X\Longrightarrow X = 1.6.

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