Consider the apparatus shown below in which two 100L bulbs a
Solution
molres of each gas can be calculated from gas law equation,
PV= nrT, P= pressure ain atm , V= volume in L, T= temperature in K, n= no of moles and R= 0.0821L.atm/mole.K
since 760 Torr= 1 atm
for SO2, P= 4.94*100/760 atm =0.65 atm, V= 1L, T= 23deg.c= 23+273= 296K, n= 0.65*1/(0.0821*296)= 0.027
for O2 , P= 3.96*100/760 atm =0.52 atm, V= 1L, T= 23 deg.c= 296K, n= 0.52*1/(0.0821*296)=0.0214
the reaction between SO2 and O2 is SO2+0.5O2------>SO3, theoretical molar rati of SO2: O2= 1:0.5
actual molar ratio of SO2:O2= 0.027:0.0214 =0.027/0.0214: 1= 1.26:1 = 1.26/2 :1/2= 0.63:0.5
so limiting reactant is SO2 and all the SO2 is consumed. moles of SO3 formed =0.027 ( from the reaction, 1 mole of SO2 gives 1 moles of SO3). moles of oxygen consumed= 0.027/2=0.0135, moles of O2 reamining =0.0214-0.0135 =0.0079
moles of SO3 and O2= 0.027+0.0079 =0.0349, this is final n= 0.0349, V= total volume after reaction = 1+1= 2L
T= 561K, P= nRT/V= 0.0349*0.0821*541/2=0.775 atm=0.775*760 torr=589 Torr
P=

