Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 (s), can be prepared by heating sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3 (s). 2 NaHCO3 (s) Na2CO3 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (g) Kp = 0.23 at a certain temp If a sample of NaHCO3 is placed in an evacuated flask and allowed to achieve equilibrium, what will the pressure of CO2 (g) be?

The pressure of CO2 = 0.48 atm

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Kp = 0.23

Step 2: The balanced equation

2NaHCO3 (s) ↔ Na2CO3 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (g)

Step 3: Calculate the pressure of CO2

Kp = (p (CO2)) * (p (H2O))

For 1 mol CO2 we have 1 mol H2O

x = p (CO2) = p (H2O)

Kp = 0.23 = x*x

x = √0.23

x = 0.48

pCO2 = x atm = 0.48 atm

The pressure of CO2 = 0.48 atm