A LevelChemistryAQARevision Notes5. Advanced Physical Chemistry (A Level only)5.3 Equilibrium constant (Kp) for Homogeneous Systems (A Level only)5.3.2 Partial Pressure

Partial Pressure (AQA A Level Chemistry)

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Partial Pressure

  • The partial pressure of a gas is the pressure it exerts in a mixture of gases if it occupied the container on its own
  • Partial pressure is given the symbol p, so for a gas X, it is written as pX
  • The total pressure is the sum of the partial pressures (this is known as Daltons' Law)

Partial Pressures, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • The mathematical relationships are as follows

Partial pressure and mole fraction formulae, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Partial pressure and mole fraction expressions

Worked example

Working out mole fractionsA sample of  0.25 mole of nitrogen and 0.75 mole of hydrogen were reacted together to form ammonia. The equilibrium amount of nitrogen was 0.16 mole.

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌  2NH3 (g)

Calculate the mole fractions of nitrogen, hydrogen and ammonia.

Answer

Write out the equation and record the initial, the change and the equilibrium amounts:

WE Mole Fractions Answer, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Examiner Tip

You can check you have the mole fractions correct by adding them up and making sure they come to 1:0.195 + 0.585 + 0.220 = 1

Kp Calculations

  • Kp calculations are a step-by-step process in which you need to find
    • the mole fractions of the gases present
    • their partial pressures
    • the Kp expression
    • the value of Kp

  • The following worked example shows how this is achieved

Worked example

Finding KpHydrogen and bromine were mixed in a flask in a 1: 1 ratio and allowed to reach equilibrium at 450 K. When equilibrium had been achieved the total pressure in the flask was 140 kPa and the mole fraction of bromine was 0.35.The equation for the reaction is

H2 (g) + Br2 (g)  ⇌ 2HBr (g)

Determine the partial pressures for each gas at equilibrium and the value of Kp

WE1 Answer, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

  • Another style of Kp calculation involves being given the value of Kp and working backwards to deduce the partial pressure of one of the gases

Worked example

Finding Partial PressureKp for the dissociation equilibrium reaction of nitrogen monoxide is 0.0021.

2NO (g)  ⇌ N2 (g) + O2 (g)

If pure NO is introduced into a reaction flask at an initial pressure of 100 kPa, what is the equilibrium partial pressure of nitrogen? 

WE2 Answer 1, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

WE2 Answer 2, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

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    Stewart

    Author: Stewart

    Expertise: Chemistry Lead

    Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.