Chapter 17, Problem 17.7P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

For the given reaction, the amount of ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ obtained is same as long as some ${\text{Li}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ is present has to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Equilibrium constant$\left({\text{K}}_{\text{c}}\right)$:

Equilibrium constant $\left({\text{K}}_{\text{c}}\right)$ 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 A reacts to give B.

    $\text{aA}\rightleftharpoons \text{bB}$

The expression for equilibrium constant $\left({\text{K}}_{\text{c}}\right)$ is given as,

  ${\text{K}}_{\text{c}}=\frac{{\left[\text{B}\right]}^{\text{b}}}{{\left[\text{A}\right]}^{\text{a}}}$

The concentrations of pure solids and pure liquids are not included in equilibrium expression since their concentrations remain unity.