Chapter 16, Problem 1QRT

Define the terms “product-favored System” and “reactant-favored System.” Give one example of each.

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The terms “product favored system” and “reactant favored system” are to be defined and one example of each has to be stated.

Concept Introduction:

A chemical process can be categorized as reactant-favored or product-favored. It depends upon the concentration of products and reactants at the stage of equilibrium. If products predominated over reactants, then it called product-favored process. If reactants are predominated over products, then it is called reactant-favored process.

Explanation of Solution

A system is said to be product favored if products predominate over reactants at the stage of equilibrium. These reactions are generally spontaneous in nature. For example: reaction of bromine with aluminum, rusting of iron and combustion of gasoline are product favored reactions. Some product favored reactions are shown below.

  $\begin{array}{l}{\text{C}}_{\text{8}}{\text{H}}_{\text{18}}\left(l\right)\to {\text{C}}_{\text{8}}{\text{H}}_{\text{18}}\left(g\right)\text{ Product favored}\\ {\text{C}}_{\text{12}}{\text{H}}_{\text{22}}{\text{O}}_{\text{11}}\left(s\right)\to {\text{C}}_{\text{12}}{\text{H}}_{\text{22}}{\text{O}}_{\text{11}}\left(aq\right)\text{ Product favored}\end{array}$

At equilibrium, if reactants predominate over products, then the system is categorized as reactant favored system. It is opposite of a product-favored process. An example of reactant-favored system is reaction of sodium metal and chlorine gas to produce sodium chloride.

$\text{2Na}\left(s\right)+{\text{Cl}}_{\text{2}}\left(g\right)\to \text{2NaCl}\left(s\right)\text{ Reactant favored}$