The equilibrium constant, K, for the following reaction is 2.44×10-2 at 518 K: PCl5(g) PCl3(g) + Cl2(g) An equilibrium mixture of the three gases in a 15.3 L container at 518 K contains 0.300 M PCl5, 8.55×10-2 M PCl3 and 8.55×10-2 M Cl2. What will be the concentrations of the three gases once equilibrium has been reestablished, if the equilibrium mixture is compressed at constant temperature to a volume of 8.64 L?

[PCl₅] = 0.5646M

[PCl₃] = 0.1174M

[Cl₂] = 0.1174M

Explanation:

In the reaction:

PCl₅(g) ⇄ PCl₃(g) + Cl₂(g)

K equilibrium is defined as:

K = 2.44x10⁻² = [PCl₃] [Cl₂] / [PCl₅]

The initial moles of each compound when volume is 15.3L are:

PCl₅ = 0.300mol/L×15.3L = 4.59mol

Cl₂ = 8.55x10⁻²mol/L×15.3L = 1.308mol

PCl₃ = 8.55x10⁻²mol/L×15.3L = 1.308mol

At 8.64L, the new concentrations are:

[PCl₅] = 4.59mol / 8.64L = 0.531M

[PCl₃] = 1.308mol / 8.64L = 0.151M

[Cl₂] = 1.308mol / 8.64L = 0.151M

At these conditions, reaction quotient, Q, is:

Q = [0.151M] [0.151M] / [0.531M]

Q = 4.29x10⁻²

As Q > K, the reaction will shift to the left producing more reactant, that means equilibrium concentrations are:

[PCl₅] = 0.531M + X

[PCl₃] = 0.151M - X

[Cl₂] = 0.151M - X

Where X is reaction coordinate.

Replacing in K expression:

2.44x10⁻² = [0.151M - X] [0.151M - X] / [0.531M + X]

1.296x10⁻² + 2.44x10⁻²X = 0.0228 - 0.302X + X²

0 = 9.84x10⁻³ - 0.3264X + X²

Solving for X:

X = 0.293 → False solution. Produce negative concentrations

X = 0.0336M → Right solution.

Replacing:

[PCl₅] = 0.531M + 0.0336

[PCl₃] = 0.151M - 0.0336

[Cl₂] = 0.151M - 0.0336

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