5I.13 -- part c, stability

[Nidhi Thati 3I]

Here is the question: Use your results from parts (a) and (b) to determine which is thermodynamically more stable relative to its atoms at 1000. K, Cl2 or F2.

How can we use the equilibrium constants to determine the stability of these molecules?

[Chem_Mod]

You should think about stability in terms of what species in an equilibrium is most favorably created. For example, if I have a generic reaction in which A --> B (pretend this is an equilibrium arrow) and K = 10000000, your equilibrium constant is very large. This must mean that forming the product, B, is very favorable because the product is stable. Another way to phrase the same thing is that A is very unstable, or it is very reactive, meaning that it will not want to stay in that form and will instead form a lot of product.