Question

In the reaction CO (g) + H2O (g) <=> CO2 (g) + H2 (g), kp = 23.2 at 600K Indicate whether it is possible to have a mixture at equilibrium at 600K in the cases following and explain your answers. A) P (CO) = P (H2O) = P (CO2) = P (H2) B) P(H2) / P(H2O) = P(CO2) / P(CO)C) P(CO2).P(H2) = P(CO).P(H2O )D) P(CO2) / P(H2) = P (H2) / P (CO)

Answer 1

The cases A and C could reach the equilibrium.

The kp equation for the given reaction is:

`kp=(P\lbrack CO_2\rbrack\cdot P\lbrack H_2\rbrack)/(P\lbrack CO\rbrack\cdot P\lbrack H_2O\rbrack)`

Analyzing each case we see that:

A) Here, regardless of the values, the resut will be equal to 1. So, it is possible to reach the equilibrium state.

B) In this case, depending on the values, the result will be a very large or very small number, different from 1, so it will not be possible to reach the equilibrium state.

C) Same as in casa A, regardless of the values, the result will be equal to 1 and will be possible to reach the equilibrium state.

D) In this case, H2O it is not considered, so it could not reach the equilibrium according to the equation of the reaction.