Question

Write the expression of an equilibrium constant, Kc for each of the following reversible reactions. A) Carbon monoxide gas reduces nitrogen monoxide gas to nitrogen gas; the other product is carbon dioxide gas.

Answer 1

The balanced equation of this reaction is

`2CO+2NO\to N_2+2CO_2`

The equilibrium constant is given by the following.

`K_c=(\lbrack N_2\rbrack^1\lbrack CO_2\rbrack^2)/(\lbrack CO\rbrack^2\lbrack NO\rbrack^2)`

Observe that the exponents refer to the stoichiometry coefficients from the balanced equation, that's why we have to make sure the chemical equation is balanced before we find the expression of Kc. Additionally, Kc is equal to the ratio between the products and the reactants.

Therefore, the expression of the equilibrium constant is

`K_c=(\lbrack N_2\rbrack^1\lbrack CO_2\rbrack^2)/(\lbrack CO\rbrack^2\lbrack NO\rbrack^2)`