Related Formula
Kc = ([Z]²)/([X₂][Y₂])$$K_c = \frac{[Z]^2}{[X_2][Y_2]}$$
Core Logic
For the reaction X₂(g) + Y₂(g) leftharpoons 2Z(g)$X_{2}(g) + Y_{2}(g) \rightleftharpoons 2Z(g)$:
First, calculate the equilibrium constant Kc$K_c$ using the initial equilibrium concentrations (moles in 1 L volume).
[X₂] = 3 M$[X_2] = 3 \text{ M}$
[Y₂] = 3 M$[Y_2] = 3 \text{ M}$
[Z] = 9 M$[Z] = 9 \text{ M}$
Kc = ((9)²)/((3)(3)) = (81)/(9) = 9$$K_c = \frac{(9)^2}{(3)(3)} = \frac{81}{9} = 9$$
Step 1: Shift due to addition of Z
Now, 10 moles of Z(g) are added. The new initial moles are:
X₂ = 3$X_2 = 3$
Y₂ = 3$Y_2 = 3$
Z = 9 + 10 = 19$Z = 9 + 10 = 19$
The reaction quotient Qc > Kc$Q_c > K_c$, so the reaction shifts backward.
Let the change in X₂$X_2$ and Y₂$Y_2$ be +x$+x$ moles, then Z changes by -2x$-2x$ moles.
At new equilibrium:
X₂ = 3 + x$X_2 = 3 + x$
Y₂ = 3 + x$Y_2 = 3 + x$
Z = 19 - 2x$Z = 19 - 2x$
Step 2: Calculate New Equilibrium
Kc = ((19 - 2x)²)/((3 + x)(3 + x)) = 9$$K_c = \frac{(19 - 2x)^2}{(3 + x)(3 + x)} = 9$$
Take the square root of both sides (concentrations must be positive):
(19 - 2x)/(3 + x) = 3$$\frac{19 - 2x}{3 + x} = 3$$
19 - 2x = 3(3 + x)$$19 - 2x = 3(3 + x)$$
19 - 2x = 9 + 3x$$19 - 2x = 9 + 3x$$
10 = 5x x = 2$$10 = 5x \implies x = 2$$
The number of moles of Z(g) at the new equilibrium is:
Moles of Z = 19 - 2x = 19 - 2(2) = 19 - 4 = 15$$\text{Moles of Z} = 19 - 2x = 19 - 2(2) = 19 - 4 = 15$$
Pattern Recognition
If a reaction's Kc$K_c$ evaluates to a perfect square and Δ ng = 0$\Delta n_g = 0$, adding products sets up a neat quadratic that can be directly resolved by taking the root of both sides, heavily speeding up the algebraic work.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Chemistry: Equilibrium