Question

In a blast furnace, carbon monoxide (CO) is used to reduce ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) to metallic iron, with carbon dioxide as a by-product. The equilibrium constant K_p for the redox reaction is 19.9 at 1000 K. If the equilibrium pressure of CO² is 2.4 atm, how much pressure is exerted by pressure?

Fe₂O₃ + 3CO(g) ⇌ 2Fe(s) + 3CO₂(g)

Answer 1

$$K_p = {P^3(CO_2) \over P^3(CO)}$$

$$19.9 = {2.4^3 \over x^3}$$

$$x = \sqrt[3]{{2.4^3 \over 19.9}} = 0.89 atm$$