Consider the reaction:

\[ 2 \text{NOCl}(g) \leftrightarrow 2 \text{NO}(g) + \text{Cl}_2(g) \]

At equilibrium, the concentrations are as follows:

\[ <br />
\begin{align*}<br />
[\text{NOCl}] &= 1.4 \cdot 10^(-2) \, \text{M} \n<br />
[\text{NO}] &= 1.2 \cdot 10^(-3) \, \text{M} \n<br />
[\text{Cl}_2] &= 2.2 \cdot 10^(-3) \, \text{M}<br />
\end{align*}<br />
\]

What is the value of \( K_{\text{eq}} \) for the reaction expressed in scientific notation?

A. \( 1.6 \cdot 10^(-5) \)

B. \( 6.2 \cdot 10^(-4) \)

C. \( 6.2 \cdot 10^4 \)

D. \( 1.6 \cdot 10^5 \)

1 answer

To calculate the equilibrium constant \( K_{\text{eq}} \) for the reaction:

\[ 2 \text{NOCl}(g) \leftrightarrow 2 \text{NO}(g) + \text{Cl}_2(g) \]

we use the expression for \( K_{\text{eq}} \):

\[ K_{\text{eq}} = \frac{[\text{NO}]^2 [\text{Cl}_2]}{[\text{NOCl}]^2} \]

We have the following concentrations at equilibrium:

  • \( [\text{NOCl}] = 1.4 \cdot 10^{-2} , \text{M} \)
  • \( [\text{NO}] = 1.2 \cdot 10^{-3} , \text{M} \)
  • \( [\text{Cl}_2] = 2.2 \cdot 10^{-3} , \text{M} \)

Now, we can substitute these values into the \( K_{\text{eq}} \) expression:

\[ K_{\text{eq}} = \frac{(1.2 \cdot 10^{-3})^2 (2.2 \cdot 10^{-3})}{(1.4 \cdot 10^{-2})^2} \]

Calculating the numerator:

\[ (1.2 \cdot 10^{-3})^2 = 1.44 \cdot 10^{-6} \] \[ (1.44 \cdot 10^{-6}) \cdot (2.2 \cdot 10^{-3}) = 3.168 \cdot 10^{-9} \]

Now, calculating the denominator:

\[ (1.4 \cdot 10^{-2})^2 = 1.96 \cdot 10^{-4} \]

Now, substituting the values back into the \( K_{\text{eq}} \) expression:

\[ K_{\text{eq}} = \frac{3.168 \cdot 10^{-9}}{1.96 \cdot 10^{-4}} \]

Calculating this:

\[ K_{\text{eq}} = 1.6133 \cdot 10^{-5} \]

Rounding appropriately gives us:

\[ K_{\text{eq}} \approx 1.6 \cdot 10^{-5} \]

Thus, the value of \( K_{\text{eq}} \) expressed in scientific notation is:

\[ \boxed{1.6 \cdot 10^{-5}} \]

Therefore, the correct answer is option A. \( 1.6 \cdot 10^{-5} \).