Consider the following equilibrium, for which Kc = 515 at 25.3 °C:

N2(g)+O2(g)+Br2(g)→2NOBr(g)

What is the value of Kp for this reaction?

Note: Use 3 signficant figures in your response.

1 answer

To convert \( K_c \) to \( K_p \), we can use the following relationship:

\[ K_p = K_c (RT)^{\Delta n} \]

where:

  • \( R \) is the universal gas constant, \( 0.0821 , \text{L atm/(K mol)} \)
  • \( T \) is the temperature in Kelvin
  • \( \Delta n \) is the change in the number of moles of gas between products and reactants.

First, we need to calculate \( \Delta n \):

For the given reaction:

\[ \text{N}_2(g) + \text{O}_2(g) + \text{Br}_2(g) \rightarrow 2 \text{NOBr}(g) \]

  • Moles of gas on the reactant side = 1 (N2) + 1 (O2) + 1 (Br2) = 3
  • Moles of gas on the product side = 2 (NOBr)

So,

\[ \Delta n = \text{moles of products} - \text{moles of reactants} = 2 - 3 = -1 \]

Now, we must convert the temperature \( 25.3 , ^\circ C \) to Kelvin:

\[ T = 25.3 + 273.15 = 298.45 , K \]

Now substituting the values into the equation, we have:

  • \( K_c = 515 \)
  • \( R = 0.0821 , \text{L atm/(K mol)} \)
  • \( T = 298.45 , K \)
  • \( \Delta n = -1 \)

Calculating \( K_p \):

\[ K_p = 515 \cdot (0.0821 , \text{L atm/(K mol)} \cdot 298.45 , K)^{-1} \]

Calculating \( RT \):

\[ RT = 0.0821 \times 298.45 \approx 24.478 , \text{L atm/mol} \]

Thus,

\[ K_p = 515 \cdot (24.478)^{-1} \]

Calculating \( K_p \):

\[ K_p \approx 515 \cdot \frac{1}{24.478} \approx 515 \cdot 0.0408 \approx 20.99 \]

So, rounded to three significant figures, the value of \( K_p \) is

\[ \boxed{21.0} \]