Question

The equilibrium constant expression for a reaction is [CO2]2/[SO2]2[O2]. What is the balanced chemical equation for the overall reaction if one of the reactants is Na2CO3(s).

Answer 1

The given equilibrium constant expression is for the reaction:

2 CO2 (g) + 2 SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2 CO2 (g) + 2 SO3 (g)

To incorporate Na2CO3 (s) into this reaction, we need to balance the equation for the reaction involving Na2CO3:

Na2CO3 (s) → Na2O (s) + CO2 (g)

Now, we can combine the two equations by cancelling out CO2 (g) on both sides:

Na2CO3 (s) → Na2O (s) + CO2 (g)

2 CO2 (g) + 2 SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2 CO2 (g) + 2 SO3 (g)

Adding the two equations together, we get the balanced chemical equation for the overall reaction:

Na2CO3 (s) + 2 SO2 (g) + O2 (g) → Na2O (s) + 2 SO3 (g)

The equilibrium constant expression remains the same as [CO2]2/[SO2]2[O2], as CO2 is not involved in the overall reaction.