To find the equilibrium constant (KC) for the reaction A + 2B ⇌ 2C, we first need to determine the equilibrium concentrations of all species involved. Given that the equilibrium concentration of C is 0.5 mol/L, we can calculate the moles of C at equilibrium.
Step 1: Calculate Moles of C
In a 2 L flask, the moles of C at equilibrium can be calculated as:
Moles of C = Concentration × Volume = 0.5 mol/L × 2 L = 1 mole
Step 2: Determine Changes in Concentrations
From the balanced equation, we know:
- 2 moles of C are produced for every mole of A consumed.
- 2 moles of C require 2 moles of B.
Since we have 1 mole of C at equilibrium, this means:
- 0.5 moles of A were consumed (since 1 mole of C corresponds to 0.5 moles of A).
- 1 mole of B was consumed (since 2 moles of B are needed for 1 mole of C).
Step 3: Calculate Equilibrium Concentrations
Now, we can find the equilibrium concentrations of A and B:
- Initial moles of A = 2 moles; at equilibrium = 2 - 0.5 = 1.5 moles.
- Initial moles of B = 3 moles; at equilibrium = 3 - 1 = 2 moles.
Now, convert these moles to concentrations:
- [A] = 1.5 moles / 2 L = 0.75 mol/L
- [B] = 2 moles / 2 L = 1 mol/L
Step 4: Calculate KC
The equilibrium constant expression for the reaction is:
KC = [C]2 / ([A] × [B]2)
Substituting the equilibrium concentrations:
KC = (0.5)2 / (0.75 × (1)2) = 0.25 / 0.75 = 0.333
Understanding Reaction Direction
To determine if the reaction is moving forward or backward, we can calculate the reaction quotient (Q). The reaction quotient is calculated using the initial concentrations:
Q = [C]2 / ([A] × [B]2)
Using initial concentrations:
- [A] = 1 mole / 2 L = 0.5 mol/L
- [B] = 1.5 moles / 2 L = 0.75 mol/L
- [C] = 0 moles / 2 L = 0 mol/L
Thus, Q = (0)2 / (0.5 × (0.75)2) = 0. This indicates that the reaction will proceed forward to produce more products until equilibrium is reached.
Final Result
The equilibrium constant KC for the reaction is approximately 0.333, and the reaction is moving forward based on the calculated reaction quotient.