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2NH3(g);
[Y]c [Z]d
[W]a [H]b
An equilibrium constant (Kc) in terms of molar concentration (Kc) for the equilibrium reaction
N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g); is given below by the equilibrium law as:
[NH 3(g) ]2
KC
.
[N 2(g) ] [H 2(g) ]3
Equilibrium calculations involving units of Kc
The units of the equilibrium constant; Kc for the equilibrium N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g); can be
derived using the steps below:
Step 1: Write down equilibrium expression for Kc and substitute moldm-3 into it.
[NH 3(g) ]2
(moldm -3 ) 2
KC
and units of Kc =
(moldm -3 )(moldm -3 ) 3
[N 2(g) ] [H 2(g) ]3
Step 2: then simplify to obtain (moldm-3)2 - 1 - 3 = (moldm-3)-2 = mol-2dm6.
For an equilibrium with the number of moles of gaseous reactants equal to number of moles of
gaseous products, Kc is always equal to Kp i.e. Kc = Kp. The equilibrium constants (Kc or
Kp) also has no units i.e. are dimensionless. Examples of such reactions are:
3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g) Fe3O4(s) + 4H2(g),
H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g),
N2(g) + O2(g) 2NO(g),
CO(g) + H2O(g) CO2(g) + H2(g),
2BrCl(g) Br2g) + Cl2(g),
Cl2(g) Cl(g) + Cl(g), etc.
An equilibrium constant (Kc) in terms of molar concentration (Kc) for the equilibrium reaction
[NH 3(g) ]2
N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g); is given below by the equilibrium law as: K C
.
[N 2(g) ] [H 2(g) ]3
Calculating Kc.
Example: 2 moles of HI(g) is allowed to dissociate in a 2dm3 vessel at 440C. Only 1.56 mol of
HI(g) were left is equilibrium. The equilibrium reaction is 2HI(g) H2(g) + I2(g)
Calculate the equilibrium constant of this reaction at 440C?
2HI(g)
2
0.44
1.56
H2(g)
0
+0.22
+0.22
I2(g)
0
+0.22
+0.22
= 0.02.
Kc
2
2
(0.78)
0.6084
[HI (g) ]
Note that Kc above has no units
Exercise
2mol of N2(g) and 3mol of H2(g) are mixed in a 2dm3 closed system. After some time, the
equilibrium amount of N2(g) in the equilibrium reaction: N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g) is found to
be 1.6 mol . Calculate Kc.
Factors affecting equilibrium constant.
-
disturbed and system readjust its to restore equilibrium such that such that the ratio of the
new concentrations of products to reactants is equal to the Kc value before the change.
- Change in pressure: Changing pressure has no effect on equilibrium constant provided
other factors are kept constant. When pressure is changed, equilibrium is disturbed and
system readjust its to restore equilibrium such that such that the ratio of the partial
pressures of products to reactants is equal to the Kp value before the change.
- Change in temperature: Changing temperature causes a change in equilibrium constant
even with other factors kept constant. When temperature is changed,
equilibrium is disturbed and system readjust its to restore equilibrium such that
such that an endothermic reaction or an exothermic reaction is favoured.
In this case, the ratio of the new concentrations of products to reactants is not equal
to the Kc value before the change in temperature.
Thus temperature is the only factor that affects equilibrium constant Kc or Kp.
If equilibrium constant Kc or Kp increases with increase in temperature, it implies that
forward reaction is exothermic. If equilibrium constant Kc or Kp increases with increase in
temperature, it implies that forward reaction is exothermic. Consider the equilibrium reaction:
2HI(g) H2(g) + I2(g); H = +9.6kJmol-1. The equilibrium constant Kc increases with increase in
temperature as shown on the table below.
Temperature / K
300
500
1000
Exercise:
Check-up 7 page 138 and check-up 8 page 139
Kc (no units)
1.26 x 10-3
6.25 x 10-3
18.5 x 10-3