7.

2 Equilibrium Law and the

Equilibrium Constant
•  
Types of Equilibrium
 Homogeneous equilibrium: A reaction with reactants and products in
the same phase.

 Heterogeneous equilibrium: A reaction with reactants and products in

the different phase.

 gases and aqueous solutions are included as variables in the

equilibrium law expression

 Pure solids and liquids are not included as variables in the equilibrium
law expression, but rather into the value of the equilibrium constant.
*concentrations cannot change*

 The value of K will depend on temperature

 Write the equilibrium law expression for the following reactions:

a) N2 (g) + 3 H2 (g)  2 NH3 (g)

[NH3(g)]2
K=
[N2(g)][H2(g)]3

b) 2 H2O (l)  2 H2 (g) + O2 (g)

K= [H2(g)]2[O2(g)]

K= [CO2(g)]
The Magnitude of K

The value of K helps to predict the relative

concentrations of reactants and products in an
equilibrium system.
Krev = 1/Kfwd
K >> 1 o [reactants] << [products] at eq’m
o Eq’m lies far to the right
o Products are favoured
K=1 o [reactants] = [products] at eq’m
K << 1 o [reactants] >> [products] at eq’m
o Eq’m lies far to the left
o Reactants are favoured
 CO(g) + 2H2(g)  CH3OH(g)

Ex 1. Calculate K for the reaction below if the equilibrium

concentration of the reactants and products
respectively are [CH3OH]= 0.00261M, [CO]= 0.105 M
and [H2] = 0.250 M

[CH3OH]
K=
[CO][H2]2 K << 1
• Far to the left
(0.00261) • Favours reactants
K= • Higher
(0.105)(0.250)2 concentration of
reactants (CO(g) +
K = 0.398 2H2(g)) at eq.
N2(g) + 3H2(g)  2NH3(g)

Ex 2.Calculate K for the reaction above if the equilibrium moles

of the reactants and products in a 2.0 L container
respectively are NH3= 0.150 moles, H2 and N2 have equal
moles of 0.300 moles.
[NH3]2
K=
[N2][H2]3
K >> 1
(0.075)2 • Far to the right
K= • Favours products
(0.150)(0.150)3 • Higher concentration of products
(NH3 (g)) at eq.
K = 11.1
Ex 3: If the reaction H2(g) + F2(g)  2HF(g) begins with [H2(g)]and
[F2(g)] of 1.00 mol/L and no HF, calculate the equilibrium constant if
the eq’m concentration of [F2(g)] is measured to be 0.24 mol/L.

H2 (g) + F2 (g) ↔ 2 HF (g)

I 1.00 1.00 0
C -x -x + 2x

E 1.00 - x 1.00 - x 2x

= 0.24 M
x = 0.76
(1.52) 2 [H2]= 0.24 M
K=
(0.24)(0.24) [HF]= 1.52 M

K = 40.1
Ex 4: When ammonia is heated, it decomposed into nitrogen gas and
hydrogen gas. When 4.0 mol of NH3(g) is introduced into a 2.0L
container, its equilibrium concentration is 1.0 mol/L. Determine the
equilibrium constant.

4.0 mol
2NH3(g)  N2(g) + 3H2(g)
[initial] 2.0 0 0 2.0 L
+x + 3x = 2.0 M
[change] - 2x

[eq’m] 2.0 - 2x = 1.0 x 3x

- 2x = - 1.0 = 0.5 =1.5
x = 0.5

K= (0.5)(1.5) 3

(1.0)2
K = 1.7