A catalytic converter in an automobile uses a palladium or platinum catalyst to

Question

A catalytic converter in an automobile uses a palladium or platinum catalyst to convert carbon monoxide gas to carbon dioxide according to the following reaction: 2CO + 02--------> 2CO2 A chemist researching the effectiveness of a new catalyst combines a 2.0 : 1.0 mole ratio mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen gas (respectively) over the catalyst in a 2.45 L flask at a total pressure of 755 torr and a temperature of 552 C. When the reaction is complete, the pressure in the flask has dropped to 554 torr . What percentage of the carbon monoxide was converted to carbon dioxide?

Explanation / Answer

PV = nRT. In this experiment, I'm assuming volume and temperature are held constant, so: P = nRT/V P = nk for some constant k. The constant is the same before and after the reaction so: P1/n1 = P2/n2 n2 = n1 P2/P1 To simplify calculations assume 2 moles of CO and 1 mole of O2 were added: n2 = (3 mol) (552torr / 740torr) n2 = 2.24 mol Let's assume "x" fraction of CO is reacted. Then the total moles present would be: final = 2 (x) + 3 (1-x) 2.24 = 2x + 3 - 3x -0.76 = -x x = 76% is reacted.

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