
Answer
Equilibrium Analysis for H2 + F2 ⇌ 2HF
Part A: Calculate Kc at 298 K
Given:
- [H2] = 0.0500 M
- [F2] = 0.0100 M
- [HF] = 0.400 M
The equilibrium expression for the reaction:
Kc = [HF]2 / ([H2][F2])
Substitute the known values:
Kc = (0.400)2 / (0.0500 × 0.0100) = 0.1600 / 0.0005 = 320
Final Answer: Kc = 320
Part B: New Equilibrium After Adding F2
Step 1: Determine new initial conditions
Added 0.200 mol F2 in a 5.00 L flask:
[F2] = 0.0100 + (0.200 mol / 5.00 L) = 0.0100 + 0.0400 = 0.0500 M
New initial concentrations:
- [H2] = 0.0500 M
- [F2] = 0.0500 M
- [HF] = 0.400 M
Step 2: Set up ICE table
| Species | Initial (M) | Change (M) | Equilibrium (M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| H2 | 0.0500 | -x | 0.0500 – x |
| F2 | 0.0500 | -x | 0.0500 – x |
| HF | 0.400 | +2x | 0.400 + 2x |
Step 3: Plug into equilibrium expression
Kc = 320 = (0.400 + 2x)2 / [(0.0500 – x)(0.0500 – x)]
This leads to:
(0.400 + 2x)2 = 320 × (0.0500 – x)2
Take square root of both sides:
0.400 + 2x = √320 × (0.0500 – x)
√320 ≈ 17.89 →
0.400 + 2x = 17.89(0.0500 – x)
0.400 + 2x = 0.8945 – 17.89x
19.89x = 0.4945 → x ≈ 0.0249 M
Step 4: Final equilibrium concentrations
- [H2] = 0.0500 – 0.0249 = 0.0251 M
- [F2] = 0.0500 – 0.0249 = 0.0251 M
- [HF] = 0.400 + 2×0.0249 = 0.4498 M
Part C: Explanation of Concentration Changes
According to Le Châtelier’s Principle:
- Adding F2 disturbs equilibrium by increasing a reactant.
- The system shifts right (forward reaction) to consume added F2.
- This results in the decrease of H2 and increase of HF.
This shift restores equilibrium by offsetting the increase in F2, forming more HF.
