Chapter 14, Problem 14.117QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The equilibrium composition of the given reaction mixture has to be calculated in terms of mole fraction.

Concept introduction:

Equilibrium constant is the ratio of the rate constants of the forward and reverse reactions at a given temperature.  In other words it is the ratio of the concentrations of the products to concentrations of the reactants.  Each concentration term is raised to a power, which is same as the coefficients in the chemical reaction.

Consider the reaction where the reactant $\text{A}$ is giving product $\text{P}$.

$\text{A}\rightleftharpoons \text{P}$

$\begin{array}{l}\text{Rate of forward reaction = Rate of reverse reaction}\\ {\text{k}}_{\text{f}}\left[\text{A}\right]{\text{=k}}_{\text{r}}\left[\text{B}\right]\end{array}$

On rearranging,

$\frac{\left[\text{A}\right]}{\left[\text{B}\right]}\text{=}\frac{{\text{k}}_{\text{f}}}{{\text{k}}_{\text{r}}}={\text{K}}_{\text{c}}$

Where,

${\text{k}}_f$ is the rate constant of the forward reaction.

${\text{k}}_r$ is the rate constant of the reverse reaction.

$K_c$ is the equilibrium constant.