Physical Chemistry 2 (STK 2023)

Assignment 3 Chemical Equlibrium (9%)

1. In a course of various qualitative analysis procedures, mixtures of Zn2+ and Cd2+

are encountered. Suggest how to separate this mixture.
[2 marks]
Answer
Make the solution acidic with 0.2 M and saturate with H2S. CdS will precipitate ZnS
will not.

2. Explain what happen to undissolved solid PBI2 in a beaker containing saturated

solution of PbI2 in equilibrium with undissolved PbI2 (s) when solid KI is added to
the solution?
[2 marks]
Answer
The amount of undissolved solid PBI2 in the beaker increases due to common ion effect.

3. The following diagrams represent three different systems at equilibrium, all in the
same size containers. Without doing any calculations, rank the three systems in
order of increasing equilibrium constant, Kc with explanation.
[3 marks]

Answer
The more product that is present at equilibrium, relative to the reactant, the greater the
equilibrium constant.
Each box contains 10 spheres. The amount of product in each varies as follows: (i) 6, (ii) 1,
(iii) 8. Thus, the equilibrium constant varies in the order (ii) < (i) < (iii).

4. Can equilibrium constant ever be a negative number? Explain.

[1 mark]
Answer
No . the equilibrium constant can never be a negative number because it is a ratio of rate
constant or ratio of concentrations which are never negative.

5. A 36.8 g sample of N2O4 was heated in a closed flask of volume 16.0 L. An

equilibrium was established at a constant temperature according to the
following equation.
N2O4(g) 2NO2(g)
 The equilibrium mixture was found to contain 0.180 mol of N2O4

a. Write an expression for Kc and calculate its value under these conditions.
[4 marks]
for N2O4 Mwt = 92.0 g/mol
36.8
Mol =  0.400
92.0
mol N2O4 reacted = 0.400 – 0.180 = 0.220
mol NO2 formed = 0.440
Kc = (NO2)2
(N2O4)
= (0.44/16)2
(0.18/16)
=0.067

b. Another 36.8 g sample of N2O4 was heated to the same temperature as in

the original experiment, but in a larger flask. State the effect, if any, of
this change on the position of equilibrium and on the value of Kc compared
with the original experiment.
[2 marks]
Effect on the position of equilibrium move to NO2/ to right / forwards
Effect on the value of Kc none

6. Show by calculation if a precipitate forms when 10.0 mL of 0.010 M AgNO 3 are

mixed with an equal volume of 0.10 M Na2CO3.
[2 marks]
[Ag+] = (10.0 mL x 0.010 M) / 20.0 mL = 0.0050 M

[CO32-] = (10.0 mL x 0.010 M) / 20.0 mL = 0.0050 M

Ag2CO3 (s)  2Ag+ + CO32-

Ksp = [Ag+]2 [CO32-] = 8.5 x 10-12

Q = [Ag+]2 [CO32-] = (0.0050)2 (0.0050) = 1.25 x 10-6

Q > Ksp (Therefore, a ppt forms!)

7. What maximum [F-] exists in a solution in which the [Sr2+] = 4.4 x 10-3 M?
[2 marks]

1. SrF2 (s)  Sr2+ + 2F-

Ksp = [Sr2+] [F-]2 = [4.4 x 10-3] [F-]2 = 4.3 x 10-9

[F-] = 9.9 x 10-4 M