Lecture example?

[Bella Wachter 1A]

On the partial pressure K example, we were told in the instructions that "the partial pressure for each of the reactants is equal to half that of the product."

Dr. Lavelle solved it by using 2x for the product and x for each of the reactants, but I was wondering why if you use x for the product and 1/2 x for each of the reactants, you don't get the same answer?

I paused the video to try and solve this problem beforehand and conceptually, it feels like these two methods should produce the same answer, but they don't. Could someone please explain why using 2x is a more correct method?

To illustrate: 10 = x / (1/2x)^2

10 = x / 1/4x^2

10/4x = 1

x = 0.4

Not sure what went wrong.

[Akash J 1J]

That is the correct answer. x should equal .4 because x is the partial pressure of the product.

1/2 x would be the partial pressure of each of the reactants.

[Bella Wachter 1A]

That is the correct answer. x should equal .4 because x is the partial pressure of the product.

1/2 x would be the partial pressure of each of the reactants.

OH LOL THANK YOU

[Laura 3l]

Thank you that makes sense!

[Jamie2002]

Thank you for asking this, I was also confused!

[derickngo3d]

Yep that answer is correct!