Chemical Equilibrium

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Understanding Chemical Equilibrium

For a closed system, a DYNAMIC

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
will form when the rate of the
FORWARD and REVERSE
reactions are equal

Many chemical reactions are REVERSIBLE

A system is in CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM when

The RATE of the forward reaction and the reverse reaction are EQUAL

The CONCENTRATION of the reactants and products are CONSTANT

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.

Le Chatelier’s Principle helps to predict how the system will respond to changes made to an
equilibrium system.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 CO 2 is 0,054 mol∙dm-3.

Calculate the:
6.2.1 Equilibrium constant, KC, for this reaction at temperature T (7)

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

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 percentages of CO2(g) and CO(g) in the container at
different temperatures.

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) = 2,602 × 100 = 93,77%
Temperature is 827 0C

Past Exam Question Paper 2, May/June 2019, Q.5

Learners use the reaction of a sodium thiosulphate solution with dilute hydrochloric acid to
investigate several factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction.
The balanced equation for the reaction is:
Na2S2O3(aq) + 2HCℓ(aq) → 2NaCℓ(aq) + SO2(g) + S(s) + H2O(ℓ)
5.1 Define reaction rate. (2)
Three investigations (I, II and III) are carried out.

5.2 INVESTIGATION I
The results obtained in INVESTIGATION I
are shown in the graph.
For this investigation, write down the:
5.2.1 Dependent variable (1)
5.2.2 Conclusion that can be drawn from the
results (2)
Past
PastExam Question
ExamQuestion 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) Paper ∆H <2,0 Oct/Nov 2019, Q.10

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.

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 equation:
N2O4(g) ⇌ 2NO2 (g) When equilibrium is reached, it is observed that the
Colourless brown colour 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.
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.

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.
6.1 Write down the meaning of the term reversible
reaction. (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)