2020 P1 Q14 - Deduce Enthalpy Change by Comparing K_c at Different Temperatures

Let Chemistry Guru, Singapore's prestigious JC Chemistry tuition centre, guide you through 2020 A Levels H2 Chemistry Paper 1 Question 14.

We are asked to determine which of the conclusions can be drawn from the results.

Let's start by writing down the equilibrium constant for this reaction.

Since the equilibrium concentrations of reactants and products are given, we can substitute these values to calculate K_c for each experiment.

Notice K_c for experiments 1 and 3 are the same since temperature is the same at 300K.

We know that K_c will remain constant when temperature is unchanged.

Other factors like concentration of reactants or products, pressure or presence of catalyst will not affect K_c.

For experiment 2 at a higher temperature of 400K, K_c is larger.

This means that K_c increases at a higher temperature, and we can deduce the enthalpy change for this reaction.

First let us consider what an increase in K_c mean to the position of equilibrium.

A larger K_c will mean a higher product concentration and lower reactant concentration.

Since more products are formed and less reactants are left, this must mean the position of equilibrium is shifted towards the right hand side.

This also means the forward reaction is favoured.

Conclusion 1 - When temperature increases, the forward reaction is favoured.

Next we can deduce whether an increase in temperature would favour exothermic or endothermic reaction.

According to Le Chatelier's Principle, the system will favour the endothermic reaction when temperature increases to absorb excess heat.

Conclusion 2 - When temperature increases, the endothermic reaction is favoured.

Check out this video lesson for a more detailed discussion about Le Chatelier's Principle and Position of Equilibrium.

We can now put both conclusions together to deduce that the forward reaction is endothermic.

Therefore the answer to this question will be option C.

Topic: Chemical Equilibria, Physical Chemistry, A Level Chemistry, Singapore

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