Question

Given the balanced chemical equation: 2NO(g) + O2(g) ⇌ 2NO2(g)At a certain temperature, the concentrations of NO, O2, and NO2 are 0.4 M, 0.1 M, and 0.3 M respectively. What is the reaction quotient (Qc) for this chemical reaction? Is the reaction at equilibrium or not? If not at equilibrium, which direction will it shift to reach equilibrium?

Answer 1

To calculate the reaction quotient  Qc , we use the formula:Qc = [NO2]^2 /  [NO]^2 * [O2] where the concentrations of the reactants and products are given in molarity  M .Plugging in the given concentrations:Qc =  0.3 M ^2 /   0.4 M ^2 *  0.1 M  Qc = 0.09 /  0.16 * 0.1 Qc = 0.09 / 0.016Qc = 5.625Now, we need to compare the reaction quotient  Qc  to the equilibrium constant  Kc  to determine if the reaction is at equilibrium or not. If Qc = Kc, the reaction is at equilibrium. If Qc < Kc, the reaction will shift to the right  toward the products  to reach equilibrium. If Qc > Kc, the reaction will shift to the left  toward the reactants  to reach equilibrium.Since we are not given the equilibrium constant  Kc  for this reaction, we cannot determine if the reaction is at equilibrium or not. However, if you know the value of Kc, you can use the information above to determine the direction in which the reaction will shift to reach equilibrium.