Question

ethylene and chlorine react to form ethylene dichloride, like this:

ch₂ch₂(g)+cl₂(g)→ch₂ch₂cl₂(g)

use this chemical equation to answer the questions in the table below.

suppose 110. mmol of ch₂ch₂ and 110. mmol of cl₂ are added to an empty flask. how much ch₂ch₂cl₂ will be in the flask at equilibrium?

suppose 180. mmol of ch₂ch₂cl₂ are added to an empty flask. how much ch₂ch₂ will be in the flask at equilibrium?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the first reaction

The reaction \(CH_{2}CH_{2}(g)+Cl_{2}(g)
ightleftharpoons CH_{2}CH_{2}Cl_{2}(g)\) is a reversible reaction. When \(110\) mmol of \(CH_{2}CH_{2}\) and \(110\) mmol of \(Cl_{2}\) are added, they start to react. But since it is a reversible reaction, it will not go to completion. So the amount of \(CH_{2}CH_{2}Cl_{2}\) formed will be less than \(110\) mmol (if it were a non - reversible reaction, \(110\) mmol would be formed as the reactants are in 1:1 stoichiometry).

Step2: Analyze the second reaction

When \(180\) mmol of \(CH_{2}CH_{2}Cl_{2}\) is added to an empty flask, the reverse reaction \(CH_{2}CH_{2}Cl_{2}(g)
ightleftharpoons CH_{2}CH_{2}(g)+Cl_{2}(g)\) will occur. But it is also a reversible reaction. So the amount of \(CH_{2}CH_{2}\) formed (and \(Cl_{2}\) as well) will be less than \(180\) mmol (if it were a non - reversible reaction, \(180\) mmol of \(CH_{2}CH_{2}\) would be formed).

Answer:

For the first question: Some, but less than \(110\). mmol.
For the second question: Some, but less than \(180\). mmol.