Determine the equilibrium constant and whether the reaction favors reactants, products, or neither at this temperature.

[tex]\[ O_2(g) + 2 SO_2(g) \rightleftarrows 2 SO_3(g) \][/tex]

Equilibrium concentrations:
[tex]\[
\begin{array}{|c|c|c|}
\hline
\left[ O_2 \right] & \left[ SO_2 \right] & \left[ SO_3 \right] \\
\hline
1.3 \, M & 0.46 \, M & 8.5 \, M \\
\hline
\end{array}
\][/tex]

A. [tex]\( K = 3.8 \times 10^{-3} \)[/tex]; product favored
B. [tex]\( K = 3.8 \times 10^{-3} \)[/tex]; reactant favored
C. [tex]\( K = 260 \)[/tex]; product favored
D. [tex]\( K = 260 \)[/tex]; reactant favored



Answer :

To determine the equilibrium constant [tex]\( K \)[/tex] and whether the reaction favors the reactants, products, or neither, we follow these steps:

1. Write the Balanced Chemical Equation:
[tex]\[ O_2(g) + 2 SO_2(g) \rightleftarrows 2 SO_3(g) \][/tex]

2. Write the Expression for the Equilibrium Constant ([tex]\( K \)[/tex]):
For the general equilibrium reaction [tex]\( aA + bB \rightleftarrows cC + dD \)[/tex], the equilibrium constant expression is:
[tex]\[ K = \frac{[C]^c [D]^d}{[A]^a [B]^b} \][/tex]
For our specific reaction, the expression is:
[tex]\[ K = \frac{[SO_3]^2}{[O_2] \cdot [SO_2]^2} \][/tex]

3. Substitute the Given Equilibrium Concentrations:
Given:
[tex]\[ [O_2] = 1.3 \, \text{M}, \quad [SO_2] = 0.46 \, \text{M}, \quad [SO_3] = 8.5 \, \text{M} \][/tex]

Substituting these values into the equilibrium expression:
[tex]\[ K = \frac{(8.5)^2}{1.3 \cdot (0.46)^2} \][/tex]

4. Calculate the Value of [tex]\( K \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ K = \frac{72.25}{1.3 \cdot 0.2116} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ K = \frac{72.25}{0.27508} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ K \approx 262.65 \][/tex]

5. Determine Whether the Reaction Favors Reactants or Products:
- If [tex]\( K > 1 \)[/tex], the reaction favors the formation of products.
- If [tex]\( K < 1 \)[/tex], the reaction favors the formation of reactants.

In this case, [tex]\( K \approx 262.65 \)[/tex], which is much greater than 1, indicating that the reaction strongly favors the formation of products at this temperature.

Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{\text{C. } K=260; \text{ product favored}} \][/tex]