For the reaction at 430 degree C, H2 + I2 <----->2HI. Kc = 54.3. Initially 0.714 moles of H2 and 0.984 moles of I2 and 0.886 molrd of HI are placed in a 2.40 L vessel. The equilibriuim concentration of H2 and I2 is _____.

This is what I did. I changed all the moles ot M. Then I subbed all the M's into an ICE chart, and then I subbed all of that information into the Kc formula, and then tried to work the quadradic equation, but nothing looks right with the answer, not to mention that none of them match up with the multiple choice answers.

I don't see anything wrong with what you said you did. Did you equation look like this?

(HI)^2/(H2)(I2) =
[(0.369+2x)^2/(0.2975-x)(0.410-x)] = 54.3.
Solve for x.

Ok, that is what I did with the quad. equation, twice. The answer that I got was .518 and .246. Then I took .246 and subbed it back into the ICE chart, and got the H2 concentration of .052. According to my teacher, that answer is wrong. The correct answer for H2 should be .070 M H2, and 0.182 M I2. What am I doing wrong? I have an exam on this tomorrow!!

You must be making a simple arithmetic mistake, such as slipping a sign change or something like that. I worked it through and obtained (H2) = 0.0699 which rounds to 0.070 M and (I2) = 0.182 M. If you solve the equation I wrote in my last response, x is 0.228 (0.2276) and 0.567 (0.56658). Throw away the 0.567 since that is larger than H2 and I2 initially so subtracting that would lead to negative concentrations and that is meaningless. You may post your work if you wish and I can find the error. Good luck on your test.

Ok, here is my attempt at my work

54.3= 0.136 = 4x^2/(0.2975-x)(0.410-x)

after foiling everything I get
54.3(x^2-0.71x + 6.5 = 0.136+4x^2
which I get
50.3x^2 - 38.4x + 6.4 = 0

plug everything into the quad. and I keep getting .245. I subtract that from .2975 for H2 and my answer still doesn't add up. HELP!!

I think your first error is in expanding the term (0.369+2x) = 0.136 + 1.48x + 4x^2 (in round numbers). The 1.48x term missing in your expansion makes a difference at the end of

50.3x^2 -39.9 + 6.5.
I think a second error is in not carrying out to enough decimals. When dealing with small numbers like this it is easy to make rounding errors and never know it. For example, if I solve the quadratic above using 50.3x^2 - 39.9x + 6.5, I end up with 0.229 which gives an answer of 0.2975-0.229 = 0.0685 which is very close to 0.07 but not quite. I ALWAYS carry at least one more place, and more than likely two or three during the stages of a problem, then round at the end. For those who want to argue that the accuracy isn't that good, I will agree, BUT I don't have rounding errors that way. The way I look at it is that I can ALWAYS throw the numbers away at the end but I can NEVER add them back in during the middle if I throw them away there.

Ok I finally got the right answer. Thanks for all your help, as always

To find the equilibrium concentrations of H2 and I2, we can follow these steps:

Step 1: Convert the given initial moles to molar concentrations.
- H2 concentration = moles/volume = 0.714/2.40 = 0.2975 M
- I2 concentration = moles/volume = 0.984/2.40 = 0.410 M
- HI concentration = moles/volume = 0.886/2.40 = 0.3692 M

Step 2: Write the balanced chemical equation:
H2 + I2 ⇌ 2HI

Step 3: Use an ICE (Initial, Change, Equilibrium) table to set up variables for the changes in concentrations of reactants and products:
H2 + I2 ⇌ 2HI
Initial: 0.2975 0.410 0.3692
Change: -2x -x +2x
Equilibrium: 0.2975-2x 0.410-x 0.3692+2x

Step 4: Use the equilibrium concentrations in the Kc expression:
Kc = [HI]^2 / ([H2] * [I2])
Kc = (0.3692 + 2x)^2 / ((0.2975 - 2x) * (0.410 - x))

Step 5: Solve for x using the quadratic equation.
Kc = 54.3 (given equilibrium constant)
At equilibrium, Kc = (0.3692 + 2x)^2 / ((0.2975 - 2x) * (0.410 - x))
Substitute Kc into the equation, and then solve for x.

After solving for x, substitute the value back into the equilibrium expressions to find the equilibrium concentrations of H2 and I2.

It appears that there may have been an error in your calculations or solving the quadratic equation. Double-check the steps followed to ensure the calculations were done correctly.