I Am Performing a Reaction, a → B, with Δ

question 52

Multiple Choice

I am performing a reaction, A → B, with Δ G ° ' = − 0.3 kJ\mol. I start the reaction with 10 mM A and no B. After allowing the reaction to proceed for 24 hrs at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, I analyze a sample of the reaction mix to find I now have 1 mM A and 9 mM B. Which of the following conclusions should I make?

• A) The reaction has reached equilibrium.
• B) I should come back again later; equilibrium has not yet been reached.
• C) The formation of B from A is thermodynamically unfavorable, so I should find another starting material to make B.
• D) I must've screwed up; there's no way I could get that result with that Δ G ° '

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