7.17 Kp = 0.04 atm at 899 K for the equilibrium shown below. What is the equilibrium concentration of C2H6 when it is placed in a flask at 4.0 atm pressure and allowed to come to equilibrium?

C2H6 (g) C2H4 (g) + H2 (g)

NEET SOLUTION:

Let p be the pressure exerted by ethene and hydrogen gas (each) at equilibrium. Now, according to the reaction,

C2H6gC2H4g+H2gInitialconc.4.0atm00Atequilibrium4.0-pppWecanwrite,pC2H4×pH2pC2H6=Kpp×p40p=0.04p2=0.160.04pp2+0.04p0.16=0Now,    p=0.04±(0.04)24×1×(0.16)2×1=0.04±0.802=0.762Takingpositivevalue=0.38

Hence, at equilibrium,

C2H6=4-p=4-0.38=3.62atm