Equilibria (OCR A Level Chemistry)

Exam Questions

3 hours30 questions
1a1 mark

This question is about the steps leading up to a Kp calculation.

State what is meant by the term mole fraction.

1b1 mark

State what is meant by the term partial pressure.

1c3 marks

A general equilibrium reaction proceeds as shown.

A (g) + B (g) ⇋ C (g) + D (g) 

Describe the steps you would perform to calculate the mole fraction of D.

1d1 mark

After calculating the mole fraction of D, describe how you would calculate the partial pressure of D for the general reaction shown in part (b).

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2a3 marks

This question is about Kc and Kp calculations.

State three reasons why the Kp expression for the following general equation is incorrect.

 
A (s) + 2B (g) ⇋ C (g) + 2D (g) 
 

Kp = fraction numerator left square bracket straight A right square bracket space cross times space 2 left square bracket straight B right square bracket over denominator left square bracket straight C right square bracket space cross times space left square bracket straight D right square bracket squared end fraction

2b2 marks

Give the correct Kexpression, including units, for the reaction in part a) 

2c1 mark

Write the expression for Kc for the following reaction:

W + 2X → Y + 3Z

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3a2 marks

Ammonium chloride gas can be produced by reacting ammonia and hydrogen chloride in an equilibrium reaction at high temperatures.

Write a balanced chemical equation, including state symbols, for this reaction.

3b2 marks

15.0 g of ammonia and 15.0 g of hydrogen chloride were left to reach equilibrium in a flask at a temperature of 550 K.

Calculate the number of moles of ammonia and hydrogen chloride at the start of the reaction.

3c2 marks

At equilibrium, the reaction contained 0.148 moles of ammonium chloride.

Using your values from part (b), complete Table 1 to show the number of moles of each chemical at equilibrium.

Table 1

 

NH3 (g)

+ HCl (g) 

→ NH4Cl (g)

Initial moles

   

0

Change in moles 

     

Equilibrium moles

   

0.148

3d2 marks

Use your answers to part (c), to calculate the mole fraction of each chemical at equilibrium.

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4a
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2 marks

The following equilibrium is achieved when 1.60 moles of hydrogen iodide is heated to 700 K in a closed container .

2HI (g) ⇋ H2 (g) + I2 (g)

When equilibrium was reached, there were 0.42 moles of hydrogen in the mixture.

Calculate the number of moles of each gas in the equilibrium mixture.

4b2 marks

Using your answers to part (a), calculate the mole fraction of each gas in the equilibrium mixture.

4c2 marks

At equilibrium, the total pressure in the flask was 140 kPa.

Calculate the partial pressure of each gas in the equilibrium mixture.

4d
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2 marks
i)
Give an expression for the equilibrium constant, Kp, for the reaction of hydrogen iodide forming hydrogen and iodine, as described in part (a).
ii)
Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant, Kp, for this reaction.

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5a2 marks

This question is about changes to equilibrium compositions.

Explain the effect, if any, to the equilibrium composition caused by an increase in pressure of the reaction below.

A (g) + 2B (g)  rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon C (g)
5b1 mark

State the effect, if any, to the value of the equilibrium constant, Kp, caused by an increase in pressure.

5c1 mark

Describe the effect, if any, on the value of the equilibrium constant, Kp, of adding a catalyst.

5d4 marks

Explain the effect on the equilibrium constant, KP, of increasing the temperature of this reaction.

N2O4 (g) ⇌ 2NO2 (g)          ΔH = +58 kJ mol–1

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1a2 marks

A chemist carries out an investigation on the equilibrium system shown below.

2CO (g) + 2NO (g) ⇌ 2CO2 (g) + N2 (g)   ΔH = –788 kJ mol–1

The chemist mixes 0.46 mol of CO with 0.45 mol of NO. The mixture is left to reach equilibrium at constant temperature.

The student analyses the equilibrium mixture and finds that 0.25 mol NO remains. The total volume of the equilibrium mixture is 1.0 dm3.

i)
Write the Kc expression for this equilibrium.

ii)
What are the units of this equilibrium constant?
1b
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4 marks

Determine the value of Kc for the equilibrium mixture in part (a). Show all your working.

1c1 mark

What does your value of Kc suggest about the position of equilibrium in this experiment?

1d3 marks

The chemist increases both the temperature and the pressure of the equilibrium mixture. The mixture is left to reach equilibrium again.

i)
What is the effect, if any, on the value of Kc? Explain your answer.

ii)
Explain why it is difficult to predict what would happen to the position of equilibrium after these changes in temperature and pressure.

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2a3 marks

Nitric acid, HNO3, is manufactured in large quantities. The main use of nitric acid is in the manufacture of fertilisers.

In its industrial preparation, nitric acid is produced in three main stages.

  1. Ammonia is heated with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen monoxide, NO.
  2. The hot nitrogen monoxide gas is then mixed with air and cooled under pressure. Nitrogen dioxide, NO2, forms in a reversible reaction.
    • 2NO (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2NO2 (g)    ΔH = –115 kJ mol–1 
  3. The nitrogen dioxide is reacted with water in a series of reactions to form nitric acid, HNO3. The first of these reactions forms a mixture of nitric acid, HNO3, and nitrous acid, HNO2.

In step 2, explain why the equilibrium mixture is both cooled and put under pressure.

2b2 marks

Construct an equation for:

i)
The reaction that takes place in step 1

ii)
The first reaction that takes place in step 3.
2c1 mark

An industrial chemist carries out the following procedure to reserach the NO / O2 / NO2 equilibrium used in step 2 of the manufacture of nitric acid.

  • The chemist mixes together 0.80 mol NO (g) and 0.70 mol of O2 (g) in a container with a volume of 2.0 dm3.
  • The chemist heats the mixture and allows it to stand at constant temperature to reach equilibrium.
  • The container is kept under pressure so that the total volume is maintained at 2.0 dm3.
  • At equilibrium, 75% of the NO has reacted.

Write an expression for Kc for this equilibrium
 

2d5 marks

Calculate the equilibrium constant, Kc, including units, for this equilibrium.

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3a
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5 marks

Dinitrogen tetroxide, N2O4(g), and nitrogen dioxide, NO2(g), coexist in the following equilibrium.

2NO2 (g) ⇌ N2O4 (g)   ΔH = –57 kJ mol–1

A chemist adds 4.00 mol NO2 to a container with a volume of 2.00 dm3. The container is sealed, heated to a constant temperature and allowed to reach equilibrium. The equilibrium mixture contains 3.20 mol NO2.

Calculate the value for Kc under these conditions

3b3 marks

The experiment is repeated but the pressure in the container is doubled.

Explain in terms of Kc the effect on the concentrations of NO2 and N2O4 when the mixture has reached equilibrium.

3c4 marks

This question is about equilibrium reactions.

Hydrogen gas is manufactured by the chemical industry using the reversible reaction of methane and steam shown below.

CH4(g) + H2O(g) → 3H2(g) + CO(g)   ΔH = +210 kJ mol–1

Explain, in terms of le Chatelier’s principle, the conditions of pressure and temperature for a maximum yield of hydrogen from the equilibrium and explain why the operational conditions used by the chemical industry may be different.
 

3d3 marks

The following equation shows the equilibrium reaction between hydrogen and nitrogen to form ammonia as part of the Haber process. The enthalpy value for this reaction is -91 kJ mol-1.

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) 2NH3 (g) 

Explain the effect, if any, of an increase in temperature on the value of Kp for this reaction if the volume remains constant and justify your answer.

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4a2 marks

Nitrogen monoxide, NO, and oxygen, O2, react to form nitrogen dioxide, NO2, in the reversible reaction shown.

2NO (g) + O2 (g) → 2NO2 (g)

Write an expression for Kc for this equilibrium and state the units

4b
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4 marks

A chemist mixes together nitrogen and oxygen and pressurises the gases so that the total gas volume is 4.0 dm3.

The equilibrium mixture is allowed to reach equilibrium at constant temperature and volume and contains 0.40 mol NO and 0.80 mol O2. Under these conditions, the numerical value of Kc is 45.

Calculate the amount, in mol, of NO2 in the equilibrium mixture

4c1 mark

The values of Kp for the following equilibrium at 298 K and 1000 K are shown below.

2NO (g) + O2 (g) → 2NO2(g)

Temperature / K Kp / atm-1
298 K= 2.19 x 1012
1000 Kp = 2.03 x 10-1

Predict, with a reason, whether the forward reaction is exothermic or endothermic.

4d3 marks

The chemist increases the pressure of the equilibrium mixture at the same temperature.
State, and explain in terms of Kp, how you would expect the equilibrium position to change.

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5a1 mark

Ammonia can be manufactured from nitrogen and hydrogen gases in the Haber process.

The equilibrium is shown below.

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)   ΔH = –91 kJ mol–1

Write an expression for Kc for this equilibrium.

5b
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6 marks

A chemist carries out a series of experiments to investigate the conversion of nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia under different conditions.

The chemist mixes together 10.40 mol N2 and 22.50 mol H2 and pressurises the gases so that the total gas volume is 5.00 dm3.

The mixture is allowed to reach equilibrium at constant temperature and without changing the total gas volume. The equilibrium mixture contains 5.60 mol NH3.

Calculate Kc, including units, at this temperature. Give your answer to three significant figures.

5c1 mark

The chemist repeats the experiment several times. In each experiment, the chemist makes one change.

The chemist heats the mixture to a higher temperature at constant pressure.

Explain whether the value of Kc would be greater, smaller or the same.

5d1 mark

The chemist increases the pressure of the mixture at constant temperature.

Explain whether the value of Kc would be greater, smaller or the same.

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1a
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3 marks

This question is about the Contact Process.

Sulfur dioxide and oxygen were mixed in a 2:1 mole ratio and left to reach equilibrium in a flask at a temperature of 750 K. The equation for the reaction between sulfur dioxide and oxygen is shown.

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)     H = -196 kJ mol-1

At equilibrium, the mole fraction of SO3 (g) in the mixture was 0.70 and the total pressure in the flask was 150 kPa.

Calculate the partial pressure of each gas in this equilibrium mixture.

1b
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3 marks

Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant (Kp) for the reaction shown in part (a).

Give your answer, to the appropriate number of significant figures, in standard form and state the units.

1c2 marks

Explain the effect, if any, of decreasing the temperature on the yield and rate of reaction for the Contact Process.

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)    H = -196 kJ mol-1

1d3 marks

Explain the effect, if any, of decreasing the temperature on the value of Kp for the Contact Process.

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)     H = -196 kJ mol-1

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2a
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7 marks

This question is about the dissociation of sulfur trioxide.

The total pressure of the following equilibrium mixture is 8.2 MPa.

2SO3 (g) ⇋ 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 

Calculate the value of Kp when 75% of sulfur trioxide dissociates at a given temperature.

2b
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5 marks

In the reverse reaction, as shown, 2.50 moles of sulfur dioxide are mixed with 1.50 moles of oxygen. 

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇋ 2SO3 (g)

The total amount of the three gases at equilibrium is 3.20 moles.

Calculate the mole fraction of each gas in the equilibrium mixture.

2c
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4 marks

The total pressure of the equilibrium mixture, shown in part (b), is 11.0 kPa.

Use your answers, from part (b), to calculate Kp for this reaction.

2d1 mark

Sulfur trioxide used to be made using the Chamber Process involving a lead catalyst. This process had issues producing higher acid concentrations.

The Contact Process using platinum or vanadium catalysts was developed to remove this issue.

State the effect of a platinum catalyst on the value of Kp.

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3a2 marks

This question is about reactions of ammonia with oxygen.

Ammonia can react in different ways with oxygen.

Reaction 1: In the presence of a platinum catalyst, ammonia is oxidised to nitric oxide and oxygen is reduced.

Reaction 2: Ammonia is heated with oxygen in the absence of a catalyst producing nitrogen and one other gaseous product. 

Write balanced chemical equations, with whole number coefficients, for these reactions.

3b1 mark

Give an expression for the equilibrium constant, Kp, when Reaction 1, from part (a), occurs at 320 K.

3c
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8 marks

Reaction 1 used 3.0 moles of ammonia and 7.0 moles of oxygen. They reacted at 800 K and 450 kPa. At equilibrium, 2.0 moles of nitric oxide were formed.
Calculate a value for the equilibrium constant, Kp, including units, for this equilibrium.
Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

3d5 marks

Reaction 2 used the same conditions of 3.0 moles of ammonia and 7.0 moles of oxygen at 800 K and 450 kPa. At equilibrium, 1.49 moles of nitrogen gas were formed.

i)
Calculate the number of moles of each chemical in the equilibrium mixture.
Give your answers to an appropriate number of significant figures.

ii)
Suggest whether the Kp for this reaction will be higher or lower than the value in Reaction 1 in part (c). Justify your answer.

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4a4 marks

This question is about various dissociation and decomposition equilibria reactions.

At high temperatures, gaseous phosphorus(V) chloride dissociates according to the following equation:

PCl5 (g) ⇋ PCl3 (g) + Cl2 (g)

At 550K, the equilibrium amount of each gas is shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Chemical

PCl5 (g) 

PCl3 (g)

Cl2 (g)

Equilibrium moles

0.192

0.822

0.822

Calculate the total pressure of the reaction, if Kp = 526 kPa.

Give your answers to an appropriate number of significant figures.

4b4 marks

Nitrogen dioxide decomposes according to the following equation:

2NO2 (g) ⇋ 2NO (g) + O2 (g)

At 700 K, the equilibrium amount of each gas is shown in Table 2.

Table 2

Chemical

NO2 (g)

NO (g)

O2 (g)

Equilibrium moles

0.92

0.06

0.04

Calculate the total pressure of the reaction, if Kp = 9.8 x 10-3 kPa.

4c
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4 marks

Hydrogen iodide can undergo thermal decomposition according to the following equation:

2HI (g) ⇋ H2 (g) + I2 (g)

The value of Kp for this reaction at 700 K is 0.0185.

Calculate the total pressure when the partial pressure of hydrogen iodide, at equilibrium, is 133 kPa.
Give your answer to the appropriate number of significant figures.

4d
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6 marks

Dinitrogen tetroxide decomposes according to the following equilibrium:

N2O4 (g) ⇋ 2NO2 (g) 

The value of Kp for this reaction at 300 K is 385 kPa.

The equilibrium mixture contained 2.40 moles of nitrogen dioxide after an initial 3.00 moles of dinitrogen tetroxide were heated at 300 K

Calculate the partial pressures of dinitrogen tetroxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Give your answer to the appropriate number of significant figures.

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5a6 marks

This question is about the multi-step process to produce methanol using methane and water as starting materials.

Step 1 is the production of synthesis gas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen that is used to synthesise many chemicals including methanol. 

Step 1: CH4 (g) + H2O (g) ⇋ CO (g) + 3H2 (g)    H = +206 kJ mol-1

The general industrial conditions for synthesis gas production are pressures of between 1000 - 2000 kPa, at temperatures of 1080 K and a nickel catalyst. 

Figures 1 and 2 show the percentage conversion of methane into carbon monoxide and hydrogen under different conditions.

5-3-pack

Use the information, to discuss the industrial conditions used to form synthesis gas as an intermediate step in the production of methanol.

5b4 marks

Explain the effects of the general industrial conditions used for temperature and pressure, as stated in part (a), on the value of Kp.

5c
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8 marks

Step 2 is the production of methanol from the synthesis gas mixture.

Step 2: CO (g) + 2H2 (g) → CH3OH (g) H = -90 kJ mol-1 

A 52.6 mol sample of carbon monoxide was reacted with 96.3 mol of hydrogen. When equilibrium was reached at a given temperature, the total pressure of the mixture was
7.90 MPa and contained 22.1 mol of methanol.

Calculate a value for Kp. Give your answer to the appropriate number of significant figures. Give units with your answer.

5d4 marks

The yield depends on the temperature and pressure used.

i)
Suggest temperature and pressure conditions, for use in industry, to increase the yield for Step 2.

Step 2: CO (g) + 2H2 (g) → CH3OH (g)    H = -90 kJ mol-1 

[2]

ii)
Explain the effect that the suggested conditions will have on the value of Kp.

[2]

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