IB

SL Chemistry DB = data booklet section

Topic 7: Equilibrium

7.1 Equilibrium

Dynamic Equilibrium
Properties of dynamic equilibrium:
• The forward and reverse reactions have equal rates.
• The concentrations of reactants and products are
constant.
• Equilibrium requires a closed system.


Equilibrium Constant, KC

[!"#$%&'(] [!]! [!]!
aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD 𝐾! = [!"#$%#&%'] = [!]! [!]! *equilibrium concentrations


KC > 1 = products are favoured

KC < 1 = reactants are favoured

Effect of temperature on KC
Forward ΔH Increase T (favours the Decrease T (favours the
reaction endothermic reaction) exothermic reaction)
Exothermic - decrease KC (equilibrium shifts increase KC (equilibrium shifts
left) right)
Endothermic + increase KC (equilibrium shifts decrease KC (equilibrium shifts
right) left)

Manipulating KC
reverse reaction 1

𝐾!
increase reaction coefficients by constant x 𝐾! !

decrease reaction coefficients by constant x !

𝐾!

add reactions 𝐾! × 𝐾!

IB SL Chemistry DB = data booklet section

Reaction Quotient, Q

[!"#$%&'(] [!]! [!]!
aA + bB ⇌ cC + dD 𝑄 = [!"#$%#&%'] = [!]! [!]! *non-equilibrium concentrations


Q < KC = forward reaction is favoured (greater concentration of reactants than at
equilibrium)

Q = KC = reaction is at equilibrium

Q > KC = reverse reaction is favoured (greater concentration of products than at
equilibrium)


Le Châtelier’s Principle
When a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change, the system will respond to
minimise the effect of the change.

Concentration
• Increasing the concentration of a reactant will shift the equilibrium position right
(towards the products).
• Increasing the concentration of a product will shift the equilibrium position left
(towards the reactants).

Pressure
• Increasing pressure shifts the equilibrium position towards the side with the
least number of molecules.
• Decreasing pressure shifts the equilibrium position towards the side with the
most number of molecules.
• When the number of molecules are equal on both sides, changing pressure has
no effect on the equilibrium position.
• Changing pressure only affects gaseous molecules.
• The number of molecules on each side of the equation is determined by adding
up the reaction coefficients for the reactants and products.

Temperature
• Increasing temperature shifts the equilibrium position in the direction that will
cause a lowering of temperature (endothermic direction).
• Decreasing temperature shifts the equilibrium position in the direction that will
cause an increase in temperature (exothermic direction).
• Changing the temperature also affects KC.

IB SL Chemistry DB = data booklet section

Catalysts
• A catalyst does not effect the equilibrium position of the value of KC.

Factors affecting equilibrium position
Factor Change Equilibrium position Effect on KC
Increase reactants Shift right
Concentration No effect
Decrease reactants Shift left
Shift toward side
Increase with fewer gaseous
molecules
Pressure No effect
Shift toward side
Decrease with more gaseous
molecules
Shift in endothermic
Increase
direction
Temperature KC changes
Shift in exothermic
Decrease
direction
Catalyst Add No effect No effect


Industrial Equilibria (NR)
Haber Process

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g) ΔH = –92 kJ mol–1

The production of ammonia favours a high pressure and low temperature.
• A too low temperature would mean a too slow rate of reaction
• High pressure is expensive and introduces danger of explosion.

Contact Process

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g) ΔH = –197 kJ mol–1

The production of sulphur trioxide favours a high pressure and a low temperature.
• The vanadium oxide catalyst is only effective at temperatures above 400 celcius.
• High pressure is expensive and introduces danger of explosion.