Equlibrum chemistry

Question

PROBLEM SET #2 For the following equilibria, answer the associated questions below each equation: a)           CH4 (g)  +   H2O (g)  +  heat   ↔   CO (g)  +  3 H2 (g)              [0.012]          [0.0275]                           [0.0383]        [0.115] Calculate the Ke.

Can someone walk me through this so confused. How did they come up with the numbers also.

Answer 1

The reaction of interest is

CH4(g) + H2O(g) + heat ==> CO(g) + 3H2(g) and they want us to calculate the Keq (equilibrium constant). The values that are given are concentrations, and I'm guessing they are the following, but the way you have written the values, I can't be sure. The way they come up with the numbers is by experimentation or by making them whatever they want.

CH4 = 0.012 M

H2O = 0.0275 M

CO = 0.0383 M

H2 = 0.115 M

Keq = [CO][H2] / [CH4][H2O] you need to know that Keq = products/reactant each raised to a power equal to the coefficient in the balanced equation. If you don't get this, please read the chapter on Keq.

Keq = (0.0383)(0.115) / (0.012)(0.0275)

Keq = 292 or 290 (to 2 significant figures)