H2(g) ⇌ 2H(g) is 1.2 × 10-42 at 500 K. Does the equilibrium mixture contain mainly hydrogen molecules or hydrogen atoms?

Question

The value of K_c for the dissociation reaction : 

H_2(g) ⇌ 2H_(g) is 1.2 × 10^-42 at 500 K.

Does the equilibrium mixture contain mainly hydrogen molecules or hydrogen atoms?

Answer 1

When the value of K_C is very low (that is, K_C < 10^-3), then at equilibrium, only a small fraction of the reactants is converted into products. 

For the given reaction,

K_C <<< 10 at 500 K. 

Hence,

The equilibrium mixture contains mainly hydrogen molecules.