At 1200 K, the approximate temperature of automobile exhaust gases (Figure), Kp for the re...

At 1200 K, the approximate temperature of automobile exhaust gases (Figure), Kp for the reaction

Figure Equilibrium and temperature. The equilibrium constant increases with increasing temperature because the reaction is endothermic. It is necessary to use a log scale for Kp because the values vary over such a large range.

Estimate the value of Kp at 1200 K, the exhaust gas temperature.

2 CO2(g) ⇌ 2 CO(g) + O2(g)

is about 1 × 10-13. Assuming that the exhaust gas (total pressure 1 atm) contains 0.2% CO, 12% CO2, and 3% O2 by volume, is the system at equilibrium with respect to the CO2 reaction? Based on your conclusion, would the CO concentration in the exhaust be decreased or increased by a catalyst that speeds up the CO2 reaction? Recall that at a fixed pressure and temperature, volume % = mol %.