Chapter 17, Problem 38A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:An explanation has to be given on relative concentrations of products and reactants for equilibrium constant $\left(K\text{=1}{\text{.3×10}}^{\text{8}}\right)$ that would be present once the equilibrium is reached and the favor or disfavor of the products has to be predicted.

Concept introduction: For a balanced chemical reaction,

  $aA+bB\rightleftharpoons cC+dD$

The equilibrium expression is ratio of the concentration of the products to the concentration of the reactants. The concentration of each reactant/product is raised to a power corresponding to their coefficient in the balanced equation.

The law of chemical equilibrium is given by the equilibrium expression,

  $K=\frac{{\left[C\right]}^c{\left[D\right]}^d}{{\left[A\right]}^a{\left[B\right]}^b}$

The equilibrium constant is represented as $K.$

Answer to Problem 38A

A large equilibrium constant shows that the concentration of product is very much large compared to that of reactant. The equilibrium position is shifted to the right and is good for the production of products.

Explanation of Solution

The given equilibrium constant is $\text{1}{\text{.3×10}}^{\text{8}}$ and the value of equilibrium constant is large.

For a balanced chemical reaction,

  $aA+bB\rightleftharpoons cC+dD$

The equilibrium expression is ratio of the concentration of the products to the concentration of the reactants. The concentration of each reactant/product is raised to a power corresponding to their coefficient in the balanced equation.

The law of chemical equilibrium is given by the equilibrium expression,

  $K=\frac{{\left[C\right]}^c{\left[D\right]}^d}{{\left[A\right]}^a{\left[B\right]}^b}$

The equilibrium constant is represented as $K.$

The magnitude of the equilibrium constant $\left(K\right),$ predicts the extent to which a reaction would proceed.

A larger equilibrium constant means that the equilibrium concentration of the products would be large. The reaction would proceed to the right side indicating an increase in the concentration of products.

A large equilibrium constant shows that the concentration of product is very much large compared to that of reactant. The equilibrium position is to the right and is good for the production of products.

Conclusion

In case of larger equilibrium constant, the concentration of the products is higher, the equilibrium position shifts towards the right, and the reaction is a good source of the products.