Question

Consider the following chemical equation and equilibrium constant at 25 °C:

2 COF₂(g) ⇄ CO₂(g) + CF₄(g), K = 2.2 × 106

Calculate the equilibrium constant for:
2 CO₂(g) + 2 CF₄(g) ⇄ 4 COF₂(g), K' =____

Answer 1

The equilibrium constant (K') for the reverse reaction 2 CO₂(g) + 2 CF₄(g) ⇌ 4 COF₂(g) is 2.06 × 10⁻¹¹, calculated as the square of the reciprocal of the given K = 2.2 × 10⁶ for the forward reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the equilibrium constant (K') for the reverse reaction 2 CO₂(g) + 2 CF₄(g) ⇌ 4 COF₂(g), we simply take the reciprocal of the given equilibrium constant for the forward reaction 2 COF₂(g) ⇌ CO₂(g) + CF₄(g), where K = 2.2 × 10⁶.

Since the reverse reaction has double the moles of gas reacting, we must also square the reciprocal of the given K to find K'.

Thus, K' = (1/K)² = (1/(2.2 × 10⁶))² = 2.06 × 10⁵⁻¹¹.