Question

At a temperature of 60 °C, the vapor pressure of water is 0.196 atm. What is the value of the equilibrium constant KP for the vaporization equilibrium at 60 °C?

a) 0.196
b) 1.0
c) 5.1
d) 0.5

Answer 1

The value of the equilibrium constant Kp for the vaporization of water at 60 °C, with a vapor pressure of a) 0.196 atm, is 0.196 atm.

Step-by-step explanation:

The vapor pressure of a substance in its gas phase at equilibrium with its liquid phase is the pressure exerted by the gas phase. At a temperature of 60 °C, the vapor pressure of water is given as 0.196 atm

In the given equilibrium process vaporization of water (H₂O(l) ⇌ H₂O(g)), the equilibrium constant Kp is numerically equal to the partial pressure of the water vapor.

When we assume that water is the only substance in the gas phase and its vapor behaves as an ideal gas. Therefore, the value of the Kp for the vaporization equilibrium at 60 °C is 0.196 atm, which corresponds to option (a).