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Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium
Chapter 15, Problem 44a

The following pictures represent the initial state and the equilibrium state for the reaction of A2 molecules (red) with B atoms (blue) to give AB molecules. (a) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction.

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Identify the reactants and products in the reaction. The reactants are A_2 molecules and B atoms, and the product is AB molecules.
Write the unbalanced chemical equation using the identified reactants and products: A_2 + B -> AB.
Balance the chemical equation by ensuring the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.
Since each A_2 molecule contains 2 A atoms, and each AB molecule contains 1 A atom, you will need 2 AB molecules to balance the A atoms.
The balanced chemical equation is: A_2 + 2B -> 2AB.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Balanced Chemical Equation

A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical reaction with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. This ensures the law of conservation of mass is upheld, meaning that matter is neither created nor destroyed during the reaction. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve this equality.
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Chemical Reaction Types

Chemical reactions can be classified into various types, such as synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, and double replacement. In this case, the reaction of A2 with B to form AB is a synthesis reaction, where two or more reactants combine to form a single product. Understanding the type of reaction helps in predicting the products and balancing the equation.
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Equilibrium in Chemical Reactions

Chemical equilibrium occurs when the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal, resulting in constant concentrations of reactants and products. In the context of the given reaction, equilibrium indicates that A2 and B are reacting to form AB, but the reaction can also proceed in the reverse direction. Recognizing equilibrium is crucial for understanding the dynamics of the reaction and how it can shift under different conditions.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant for the reaction 4 NH31g2 + 3 O21g2 ∆ 2 N21g2 + 6 H2O1g2

given the following equilibrium constants at a certain temperature.

2 H21g2 + O21g2 ∆ 2 H2O1g2 Kc = 3.2 * 1081

N21g2 + 3 H21g2 ∆ 2 NH31g2 Kc = 3.5 * 108

Textbook Question
Consider the interconversion of A molecules (red spheres) and B molecules (blue spheres) according to the reaction A ∆ B. Each of the series of pictures at the right represents a separate experiment in which time increases from left to right:(b) What is the value of the equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction A ∆ B?

Textbook Question
The reaction A2 + B ∆ A + AB has an equilibrium con-stant Kc = 2. The following pictures represent reaction mix- tures that contain A atoms (red), B atoms (blue), and A2 and AB molecules.

(a) Which reaction mixture is at equilibrium?
Textbook Question
Consider the reaction A + B ∆ AB. The vessel on the right contains an equilibrium mixture of A molecules (red spheres), B molecules (blue spheres), and AB molecules. If the stopcock is opened and the contents of the two vessels are allowed to mix, will the reaction go in the forward or reverse direction? Explain.

Textbook Question
The following pictures represent the composition of the equi- librium mixture for the reaction A + B ∆ AB at 300 K and at 400 K.

Is the reaction exothermic or endothermic? Explain using Le Châtelier's principle.
Textbook Question
The following picture represents the composition of the equi- librium mixture for the endothermic reaction A2 ∆ 2 A at 500 K. Draw a picture that represents the equilibrium mixture after each of the following changes.(b) Increasing the volume