Understanding Chemical Equilibrium

Open System Closed System

Matter and Energy Matter and Energy

can leave the system cannot leave the system
For a closed system, a DYNAMIC CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM will form
when the rate of the FORWARD and REVERSE reactions are equal

FORWARD reaction (reactants change into products)

H H
H H + O O
O

REVERSE reaction (products change into reactants)

Many chemical reactions are REVERSIBLE

 A system is in CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM when

The RATE of the forward reaction and the reverse

reaction are EQUAL

Forward
Rate

Reverse
Time

The CONCENTRATION of the reactants and

products are CONSTANT
Concentration

Reactants

Products
Time
Changes to the Equilibrium Position
Certain factors can CHANGE a system in equilibrium, affecting
the CONCENTRATION of the reactants or products.

The change DISRUPTS THE EQUILIBRIUM causing the

RATE of the forward or reverse reaction to either increase or
decrease as the system comes to A NEW EQUILIBRIUM.
Factors Affecting Equilibrium
CHANGE THE CONCENTRATION
At constant volume and only applies to solutions (aq) and gases (g)

CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE

CHANGE IN PRESSURE
Only applies to gases (g)

Le Chatelier’s Principle helps to predict how the system will

respond to changes made to an equilibrium system.
Le Chatelier’s Principle
If a change is imposed on a system at equilibrium, the
position of the equilibrium will shift in a direction that
tends to reduce that change
Understanding Le Chatelier’s Principle
Basically an equilibrium system will respond to reduce the
effect of the change by favouring either the FORWARD or
REVERSE reaction.

RATE Think of Le Chatelier’s RATE

Forward Reverse
Reaction
Principal as a SEE-SAW Reaction

Reactants Products

Example
A factor causes a CHANGE to an equilibrium system, increasing
the concentration of the reactants.

This side is heavier

because reactants
increased

In RESPONSE the forward reaction is FAVOURED,

decreasing the concentration of the reactants,
restoring (a new) balance.
The Equilibrium Constant
The EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT (KC) is the ratio of products to
reactants
It allows a chemist to determine the progress of a reaction,
indicating whether the formation of the reactants or products is
being favored.
For the chemical reaction at equilibrium
aA +bB ⇌ cC + dD
𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐂 𝒄. 𝑫𝒅
Kc = = 𝒂. 𝑩 𝒃
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀

Phases of matter are IMPORTANT

Pure substances (liquid or solid) do not have a measurable
concentration and are given a value of 1 in the Kc expression
HOMOGENOUS REACTIONS
Reactants and products are ALL in the SAME phase
aA(g) +bB(g) ⇌ cC(g) + dD(g)

HETEROGENEOUS REACTIONS
Reactants and products are NOT ALL in the SAME phase
aA(s) +bB(𝒍) ⇌ cC(g) + dD(aq)
 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐂 𝑫 𝒄. 𝒅
Kc = =
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀 𝒂. 𝑩 𝒃

Only temperature can change Kc

The value of Kc does NOT change if a catalyst is added, concentration of
reactants or products change or pressure of the system changes.

Understanding the VALUE of Kc

When Kc = 1 : Concentration of reactants and products are about the same.

When Kc > 1 : Concentration of products are higher than reactants.

When Kc < 1 : Concentration of reactants are higher than products.

Formulas Often Used When Doing Kc Problems

Ensure you know how to calculate the concentration and moles
𝐧 𝐦
𝐜= & 𝐧=
𝐕 𝐌
c – concentration (mol·dm–3) V – volume (dm3 )
n – number of moles (mol) M – molar mass (g·mol–1) m – mass (g)
Calculating KC
IMPORTANT!
Ensure you are able to do the following THREE
steps in a Kc calculation problem.

① Step-up your Kc expression

Check the phases of your reactants and products
Write your Kc expression

② Use an Equilibrium Table (R.I.C.E.E.)

Draw an Equilibrium Table.

A (g) B (g) C (g) D (aq)

Ratio Mole ratio as per balanced chemical equation
Initial Starting amount (mol) of reagent present at the beginning
Change Change in reactants/products based on mole ratio
Equilibrium Amount of reactant/product present at equilibrium
Equilibrium Concentration of reactant/product at equilibrium

③ Substitute into your Kc expression

Substitute into Kc equation from Step ①
WORKED Exam Question Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2019, Q.6
Initially 60,8 g pure carbon dioxide, CO2(g), is reacted with carbon, C(s), in a sealed
container of volume 3 dm3. The reaction reaches equilibrium at temperature T
according to the following balanced equation:

C(s) + CO2(g) ⇌ 2CO(g)

6.1 Define the term chemical equilibrium. (2)
The stage in a chemical reaction when the rate of forward reaction equals the
rate of reverse reaction and the concentrations of reactants and products
remain constant.
6.2 At equilibrium it is found that the concentration of the CO2 is 0,054 mol∙dm-3.
Calculate the:
6.2.1 Equilibrium constant, KC, for this reaction at temperature T (7)
[𝐂𝐎]𝟐
① C(s) + CO2(g) ⇌ 2CO(g) AND Kc =
𝐂𝐎𝟐
②
m 60.8 CO2(g) CO(g)
ninitial(CO2) = = = 1,382 mol Ratio 1 2
M 44
Initial (mol) 1.382 0
c 0.054
nequil(CO2) = = = 0,162 mol Change (mol) 1.22 2.44
V 3
Equilibrium (mol) 0.162 2.44
𝟐.𝟒𝟒
[𝐂𝐎]𝟐 [ 𝟑 ]𝟐 [𝟎.𝟖𝟏𝟑]𝟐
③ Kc = = = = 12.24
𝐂𝐎𝟐 𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟒 𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟒

6.2.2 Minimum mass of C(s) that must be present in the container to obtain this
equilibrium The minimum mass would equal the Change (what reacted)
Mole ratio 1:1 for C(s) and CO2 , Therefore m = nM = n(C)reacted M = 1,22 12 = 14,64 g
Continued… Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2019, Q.6
6.3 How will EACH of the following changes affect the AMOUNT of CO(g) at
equilibrium?
Choose from INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.
6.3.1 More carbon is added to the container (1)

The carbon is in the solid phase. Only substances in the gaseous

and aqueous phase can have a change in concentration and will be
affected by a change in concentration, therefore the amount of
CO(g) REMAINS THE SAME
6.3.2 The pressure is increased by reducing the volume of the container at
constant temperature.
Use Le Chatelier's principle to explain the answer. (3)

A change in pressure only applies to reactions with substances in

the gaseous phase.

Pressure increases, therefore the system will try and reduce the
pressure by favouring the reaction which has smaller volume of
gas (lowest number of molecules).

The reverse reaction is favoured (1 gaseous molecule), therefore

the amount of CO(g) DECREASES
Continued… Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2019, Q.6

6.4 The table below shows the TEMPERATURE (°C) % CO2(g) % CO(g)
percentages of CO2(g) and CO(g) 827 6,23 93,77
in the container at different 950 1,32 98,68
temperatures. 1 050 0,37 99,63
1 200 0,06 99,94
6.4.1 Is the reaction EXOTHERMIC or ENDOTHERMIC?
Refer to the data in the table and explain the answer. (3)

The reaction is ENDOTHERMIC since an increase in temperature

favours the forward reaction (product yield increases).

An increase in temperature favours the endothermic reaction.

6.4.2 Use the information in the table to determine temperature T.

Show clearly how you arrived at the answer. (3)

To calculate % of CO2(g) and % of CO(g), we need to know the total

volume first
VTOTAL Equil = 0,162 + 2,44 = 2,602 dm³
2,44
% CO(g) = × 100 = 93,77%
2,602

Temperature is 827 0C
Past Exam Question Paper 2, May/June 2019, Q.6
The balanced equation below represents the reaction used in the Haber process to
produce ammonia.
N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g) ∆H < 0
In industry the product is removed as quickly as it forms.

6.1 Write down the meaning of the double arrow used in the equation above. (1)
6.2 Give ONE reason why ammonia is removed from the reaction vessel as quickly
as it forms. (1)

The graph below shows the percentage yield of ammonia at different temperatures
and pressures.
Continued… Paper 2, May/June 2019, Q.6

6.3 Write down the percentage yield of ammonia at 450 °C and 200 atmospheres. (1)

6.4 Refer to Le Chatelier's principle to explain EACH of the following deductions

made from the graph:

6.4.1 For a given pressure, the yield of ammonia at 500 °C is much lower
than that at 350 °C (3)

6.4.2 For a given temperature, the yield of ammonia at 350 atmospheres is much
higher than that at 150 atmospheres (2)

6.5 A technician prepares NH3(g) by reacting 6 moles of H2(g) and 6 moles of N2(g).

6.5.1 Calculate the maximum number of moles of NH3(g) that can be obtained
in this reaction. (2)

6.5.2 The above reaction now takes place in a 500 cm3 container at a
temperature of 350 °C and a pressure of 150 atmospheres. The system is
allowed to reach equilibrium.

Use the graph above and calculate the equilibrium constant, Kc, for this
reaction under these conditions. (7)
Past Exam Question Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2018, Q.6
Dinitrogen tetraoxide, N2O4(g), decomposes to nitrogen dioxide, NO2(g), in a sealed
syringe of volume 2 dm3.

The mixture reaches

equilibrium at 325 °C
according to the balanced 2 dm3
equation:
N2O4(g) ⇌ 2NO2 (g) When equilibrium is reached, it is observed that the colour
colourless brown of the gas in the syringe is brown.
6.1 State Le Chatelier's principle. (2)

6.2 The syringe is now dipped into a beaker of ice water. After a while the brown
colour disappears. Is the forward reaction EXOTHERMIC or ENDOTHERMIC?
Explain the answer using Le Chatelier's principle. (3)

6.3 The volume of the syringe is now decreased while the temperature is kept
constant. How will EACH of the following be affected?
Choose from: INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.

6.3.1 The number of moles of N2O4(g) (1)

6.3.2 The value of the equilibrium constant (1)
6.3.3 The rate of the forward and reverse reactions (1)
6.4 Initially X moles of N2O4(g) were placed in the syringe of volume 2 dm3.
At equilibrium, it was found that 20% of the N2O4(g) had decomposed.

If the equilibrium constant, Kc, for the reaction is 0,16 at 325 °C, calculate the value
of X. (8)
Past Exam Question Paper 2, May/June 2018, Q.6
The equation below represents a hypothetical reaction that reaches equilibrium in a
closed container after 2 minutes at room temperature. The letters x, y and z
represent the number of moles in the balanced equation.

xA(aq) + yB(aq) ⇌ zC(aq)

The graph below shows the change in the number of moles of reactants and
products versus time during the reaction.

6.1 Define a dynamic

equilibrium. (2)

6.2 Use the information in

the graph and write down the
value of:
6.2.1 x (1)
6.2.2 y (1)
6.2.3 z (1)

6.3 Calculate the equilibrium

constant, Kc, for this hypothetical
reaction at room temperature if
the volume of the closed
container is 3 dm3. (7)
6.4 At t = 4 minutes, the temperature of the system was increased to 60°C. Is the
REVERSE reaction EXOTHERMIC or ENDOTHERMIC? Explain how you arrived at
the answer. (3)
Past Exam Question Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2016, Q.6
Hydrogen gas, H2(g), reacts with sulphur powder, S(s), according to the following
balanced equation:
H2(g) + S(s) ⇌ H2S(g) ΔH < 0

The system reaches equilibrium at 90 °C.

6.1 Define the term chemical equilibrium. (2)

6.2 How will EACH of the following changes affect the number of moles of H2S(g)
at equilibrium? Choose from INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE
SAME.
6.2.1 The addition of more sulphur (1)
6.2.2 An increase in temperature
Use Le Chatelier's principle to explain the answer. (4)

6.3 The sketch graph below was obtained for the equilibrium mixture.
Continued… Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2016, Q.6

6.3 Continued…

A catalyst is added to the equilibrium mixture at time t1.

Redraw the graph above in your ANSWER BOOK. On the same set of axes,
complete the graph showing the effect of the catalyst on the reaction rates. (2)

Initially 0,16 mol H2(g) and excess S(s) are sealed in a 2 dm3 container and the system
is allowed to reach equilibrium at 90 °C.

An exact amount of Pb(NO3)2 solution is now added to the container so that ALL the
H2S(g) present in the container at EQUILIBRIUM is converted to PbS(s) according to the
following balanced equation:

Pb(NO3)2(aq) + H2S(g) → PbS(s) + 2HNO3(aq)

The mass of the PbS precipitate is 2,39 g.

6.4 Calculate the equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction H2(g) + S(s) ⇌ H2S(g)
at 90 °C. (9)
Past Exam Question Paper 2, Feb/Mar 2015, Q.6
Pure hydrogen iodide, sealed in a 2 dm3 container
at 721 K, decomposes according to the following
balanced equation:

2HI(g) ⇌ H2(g) + I2(g) ∆H = + 26 kJ∙mol-1

The graph below shows how reaction rate changes

with time for this reversible reaction.
0 5 12 15 17 20
6.1 Write down the meaning of the term reversible reaction. Time (minutes) (1)

6.2 How does the concentration of the reactant change between the 12th and the 15th
minute? Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES or NO CHANGE. (1)

6.3 The rates of both the forward and the reverse reactions suddenly change at t = 15
minutes.
6.3.1 Give a reason for the sudden change in reaction rate. (1)
6.3.2 Fully explain how you arrived at the answer to QUESTION 6.3.1. (3)
The equilibrium constant (Kc) for the forward reaction is 0,02 at 721 K.
6.4 At equilibrium it is found that 0,04 mol HI(g) is present in the container.
Calculate the concentration of H2(g) at equilibrium. (6)

6.5 Calculate the equilibrium constant for the reverse reaction. (1)

6.6 The temperature is now increased to 800 K. How will the value of the equilibrium
constant (Kc) for the forward reaction change?
Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME. (1)