Chemistry Equilibrium DUHS 2024
PMDC Verified Question 21 of 102
The term "active mass" used in the Law of Mass Action means:
A
Number of moles per \( \text{dm}^3 \)
B
Number of moles per litter
C
Gram per \( \text{dm}^3 \)
D
Number of moles
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option A: Number of moles per \( \text{dm}^3 \)
Concept:

Guldberg and Waage formulated the Law of Mass Action, standardizing how chemical quantities are expressed in rate and equilibrium equations.

Formula:

$$ \text{Active Mass} = [ ] = \frac{n}{V} = \text{Molarity} $$

Solution:

  • "Active mass" mathematically refers to the molar concentration of a reacting substance.


  • Concentration is defined as the number of moles (\( n \)) divided by the volume in cubic decimeters (\( \text{dm}^3 \)).


  • Therefore, it means Number of moles per \( \text{dm}^3 \).


  • Note: While Option B (moles per liter) is technically identical since \( 1 \text{ dm}^3 = 1 \text{ L} \), SI unit conventions in this curriculum strictly favor \( \text{dm}^3 \), making A the technically 'more correct' textbook answer.


Why other options are incorrect:

Grams per \( \text{dm}^3 \) is mass concentration (density), not molar concentration. Simply "moles" ignores the volume requirement entirely.

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