Chapter 15, Problem 15.140QP

Large quantities of hydrogen are needed for the synthesis of ammonia. One preparation of hydrogen involves the reaction between carbon monoxide and steam at 300°C in the presence of a copper-zinc catalyst:

$\text{CO}\left(g\right)+{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(g\right)\rightleftarrows {\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}\left(g\right)+{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\left(g\right)$

Calculate the equilibrium constant (K_p) for the reaction and the temperature at which the reaction favors the formation of CO and H₂O.