Moderate

The decomposition of ozone has a very high value of the equilibrium constant because of its?

Correct answer: D. Instability

  • A. Stability
  • B. Reactivity
  • C. Compressibility
  • D. Instability

Explanation

The decomposition of ozone has a very high value of the equilibrium constant because of its instability. Ozone is a molecule that is made up of three oxygen atoms. The bonds between the oxygen atoms in ozone are very weak, so ozone is easily decomposed into oxygen gas. The equilibrium constant is a measure of how much of a product is formed when a reactant is decomposed. A high value of the equilibrium constant means that a lot of product is formed. In the case of ozone decomposition, the high value of the equilibrium constant means that a lot of oxygen gas is formed when ozone is decomposed. The instability of ozone is due to the fact that the three oxygen atoms in ozone are arranged in a triangular shape. This shape puts a lot of strain on the bonds between the oxygen atoms, making them more likely to break. The instability of ozone is a problem because ozone is a very important molecule in the atmosphere. Ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun, preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface. The depletion of ozone in the atmosphere has been linked to an increase in skin cancer and other health problems.

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About Chemical Equilibrium

Reversible reactions reach dynamic equilibrium when forward and reverse rates become equal, and Le Chatelier's principle predicts the effect of changing concentration, pressure or temperature. The chapter also covers solubility product, the common ion effect, buffer action and the conditions used in Haber's process, with equilibrium shifts distinguished from changes in the equilibrium constant.

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