Chemistry 104 Study Groups

EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEM
ANSWER
 

Exercises

  In the reversible reaction A2 + B2 2AB, an inital mixture contains 2 mol A2 and 1 mol B2.
Which of the following is the amount of AB expected at equilibrium? Explain your answer.
  1. 1 mol
  2. 2 mol
  3. more than 2 but less than 4 mol
  4. less than 2 mol

 
 

The answer to the problem is "more than 2 mol"

 

Explanation

  From the information given in the problem, the most AB that can be produced is two moles. Why? Well, this is a limiting reagent problem. B2 is the limiting reagent. Therefore 2 mols of AB will be produced from 1 mol of A2 and 1 mole of B2.

However, we now know that reactions do not go totally to completion. Therefore, the amount of product when the reaction reaches equilibrium must be something less than two moles.

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