Question
Question: A mixture of \(S{{O}_{3}}\), \(S{{O}_{2}}\) and \({{O}_{2}}\) gases is maintained at equilibrium in ...
A mixture of SO3, SO2 and O2 gases is maintained at equilibrium in 10 litre flask at a temperature at which Kc for the reaction, 2SO2(g)+O2(g)2SO3(g) is 100mol−1litre. At equilibrium,
a) If no.of moles of SO3, SO2 in the flask are same, how many moles of O2 are present 0.1
b) If no.of moles of SO3 in the flask are twice the no.of moles of SO2, how many moles of O2 are present 0.4
c) Both a) and b)
d) None
Solution
Since, the question has a reversible reaction, number of moles of oxygen can be found by the equilibrium constant formula given by Kc=[SO2]2+O2[SO3]2 and then finding the number of moles in given litres of solution.
Complete step by step solution:
We have the chemical equation in terms of a reversible reaction which shows that the rate of formation is equal to rate of decomposition.
We have studied the physical chemistry part as the equilibrium constant is given the ratio of total concentration of products to that of concentration of reactant side.
Therefore, we can write from the given data as,
Kc=[SO2]2+O2[SO3]2
A) From the given data of this option we can say that [SO3]=[SO2] .
Let us consider the moles of sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide as ‘n’ [since both have equal concentration]
and m moles of O2
Given that Kc=100
At equilibrium in 10 litres of solution we can write the concentrations as,
[SO3]=10n[SO2]=10n[O2]=10m
Applying equilibrium constant and solving we get,
100=[n/10]2[m/10][n/10]2 ⇒100=m10
Therefore, m=0.1
Thus there are 0.1 moles of O2 at equilibrium and thus option A) is correct
Similarly,
B) By the data given in next option, we can say that there are m moles of O2 and n moles of SO2 and moles of SO3 is twice of SO2 that is 2n.
Therefore,
[SO3]=102n[SO2]=10n[O2]=10m
Applying Kc formula,
100=[n/10]2[m/10][2n/10]2 ⇒100=m40
Thus, m=0.4
Therefore, there are 0.4 moles of O2 at equilibrium.
Therefore, option B) is correct.
Thus the correct answer is option C) Both (a) and (b).
Note: The equilibrium constant can also be written in terms of partial pressures for each of the gases because pressure of a gas is directly proportional to the concentration and is denoted by Kp and takes the exact same form as Kc. Thus, the question can be slightly twisted on the basis of this fact.