Question

Chlorine monoxide and dichlorine dioxide are involved in the catalytic destruction of stratospheric ozone. They are related by the equation:

2ClO(g) ⇌ Cl2O2(g) for which Kc is 4.96×10^11 at 273 K.

For an equilibrium mixture in which [Cl2O2] is 6.00 x 10^-6M, what is [ClO]?

Answer 1

[ClO] = 3.48×10¯⁹ M.

Step-by-step explanation:

The following data were obtained from the question:

Equilibrium constant (Kc) = 4.96×10¹¹

Concentration of Cl2O2, [Cl2O2] = 6x10¯⁶ M.

Concentration of ClO, [ClO] =.?

The equation for the reaction is given below:

2ClO(g) ⇌ Cl2O2(g)

The equilibrium constant for a reaction is simply defined as the ratio of the concentration of product raised to their coefficient to the concentration of the reactant raised to their coefficient.

The equilibrium constant, Kc for the reaction is given by:

Kc = [Cl2O2] / [ClO]²

Thus, we can calculate the concentration of ClO, [ClO] as follow:

Kc = [Cl2O2] / [ClO]²

4.96×10¹¹ = 6x10¯⁶ / [ClO]²

Cross multiply

4.96×10¹¹ × [ClO]² = 6x10¯⁶

Divide both side by 4.96×10¹¹

[ClO]² = 6x10¯⁶ / 4.96×10¹¹

[ClO]² = 1.21×10¯¹⁷

Take the square root of both side

[ClO] = √ (1.21×10¯¹⁷)

[ClO] = 3.48×10¯⁹ M

Therefore, the concentration of ClO, [ClO] is 3.48×10¯⁹ M.