We can use the ICE method to calculate moles at equilibrium. We know the initial moles is 1.6 NO, 1.

4 O2, and 0 NO2 and equilibrium moles of NO2 is 1.2.

2NO + O2 --> 2NO2

Species 2NO + O2 ⇌ 2NO2
I – initial moles 1.6 1.4 0
C – change of moles
E – equilibrium moles 1.2

C – Change of moles
This is the middle step of calculating moles at equilibrium. We use algebra to figure out the moles at equilibrium:
• Moles at equilibrium of reactant = initial moles – moles reacted
• Moles at equilibrium of product = initial moles + moles formed

The ‘x’ is the unknown (i.e the moles reacted/formed) – and the number in front of the x (e.g. 2x) comes from the
big molar ratio number in front of the species. E.g:, 2NO = 2x, but O2 = (1)x.

2NO + O2 --> 2NO2

Species 2NO + O2 ⇌ 2NO2
I – initial moles 1.6 1.4 0
C – change of moles 1.6 – 2x 1.4 – x 0 + 2x
E – equilibrium moles 1.2
 2NO + O2 --> 2NO2
Species 2NO + O2 ⇌ 2NO2
I – initial moles 1.6 1.4 0
C – change of moles 1.6 – 2x 1.4 – x 0 + 2x
E – equilibrium moles 1.2

E – moles at equilibrium
This is the step where we use ‘C’ and ‘I’ of 1 species to help work out the ‘E’ of the rest of them.
The C is EQUAL to E – so we can form an algebra expression, and solve for x: 0 + 2x = 1.2 so, 2x = 1.2 therefore x = 0.6

We now know x = 0.6, so can fill in x to find ‘E’ of everything else.

2NO + O2 --> 2NO2

Species 2NO + O2 ⇌ 2NO2
I – initial moles 1.6 1.4 0
C – change of moles 1.6 – 2x 1.4 – x 0 + 2x
E – equilibrium moles 1.6 – 0.6 – 0.6 1.4 – 0.6 1.2
= 0.4 = 0.8

So, our moles at equilibrium are: If a volume was provided in the question, we could work out Kc –
NO = 0.4 mol; O2 = 0.8 mol; NO2 = 1.2 mol the concentration constant