Chapter 14, Problem 14.70QP

The equilibrium constant K_P for the reaction

$2{\text{H}}_2\text{O(}g\text{)}\stackrel{}{\rightleftharpoons }2{\text{H}}_2(g)+{\text{O}}_2(g)$

is 2 × 10⁻⁴² at 25°C. (a) What is K_c for the reaction at the same temperature? (b) The very small value of K_P (and K_c) indicates that the reaction overwhelmingly favors the formation of water molecules. Explain why, despite this fact, a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases can be kept at room temperature without any change.