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3.3 Reversible Reactions & Equilibria

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry

Section 3. Physical Chemistry
Topic 3.3 Reversible Reactions & Equilibria
Difficulty Medium

Time allowed: 30

Score: /18

Percentage: /100

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Question 1
The Haber process is an example of a reversible reaction where the forward reaction is exothermic:
N 2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)

What is not true about this system when it is at equilibrium?

(1)
☐ A The energy change of the reverse reaction is endothermic
☐ B The equilibrium occurs within a closed system
☐ C The reaction has reached completion and stopped
☐ D The rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction
[1 mark]

Question 2
The diagram shows a test tube containing ammonium chloride that has been heated gently.

Which two gases are present at position Y?

(1)
☐ A Ammonia and hydrogen chloride
☐ B Ammonia and chlorine
☐ C Hydrogen and chlorine
☐ D Ammonia and hydrogen
[1 mark]

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Question 3a
Hydrogen gas can be produced by reacting a mixture of methane and steam in the presence of a nickel catalyst.
The reaction conditions are a temperature of 700°C and a pressure of 5 atmospheres.
The equation for the reaction is
CH4 (g) + H2O (g) ⇌ CO (g) + 3H2 (g) ΔH = +206kJ/mol
a)
What does the symbol ⇌ represent?
(1)
Reversible reaction. [1 mark]

Question 3b
b)
i)
The mixture of methane and steam is heated to a temperature greater than 700 °C but the pressure is kept at 5
atmospheres.
Predict the effect of this change on the yield of hydrogen at equilibrium, giving a reason for your answer.
(2)
ii)
The mixture of methane and steam is kept at the same temperature of 700 °C but the pressure is increased to
more than 5 atmospheres.
Predict the effect of this change on the yield of hydrogen at equilibrium, giving a reason for your answer.
(2)
[4 marks]
bi) The increase in temperature increases the yield of hydrogen as the system decreases the temperature
and shifts the equilibrium to the right as it is endothermic. Therefore the forward rate of reaction increases and the
yield of hydrogen increases.

bii) The increase in pressure decreases the yield of hydrogen as the system decreases the pressure and shifts the
equilibrium to the left as it has fewer moles of gas. Therefore the backward rate of reaction increases and the yield of
hydrogen decreases.

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Question 3c
c)
Calculate the volume, in dm3, of hydrogen gas at rtp that is produced when 10 tonnes of methane gas completely
react with steam.
[molar volume of hydrogen at rtp is 24 dm3]
Give your answer in standard form.
(4)
[4 marks]

Question 4a
This question is about ammonia gas, NH3
a)
Ammonia can be prepared in a laboratory from the reaction between ammonium chloride, NH4Cl, and sodium
hydroxide. The other products of the reaction are sodium chloride and water.
i)
Give a chemical equation for this reaction.
(1)
NH4Cl + NaOH NH3 + NaCl + H20
ii)
Give a test for ammonia gas.
(2)
[3 marks]

REFER TO MARK SCHEME

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Question 4b
b)
In industry, ammonia is produced from nitrogen and hydrogen. The equation for this reaction is
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) → 2NH3 (g)
In a sealed container, the reaction can reach a position of dynamic equilibrium. Explain the meaning of the term
dynamic equilibrium.
(2)
[2 marks]

This is when the rates of forward and backward reactions are equal. This means that reactants and products are
constantly changing into each other at the same rate, which means the concentrations of reactants and products
remain equal. This can only occur in a closed system.

Question 4c
c)
The graph shows the percentage yield of ammonia at equilibrium for different temperatures and pressures.

Using the graph, explain if the forward reaction is exothermic or endothermic.

(2)
The forward reaction is exothermic as when the temperature increases, the yield decreases. Therefore
the system responds to the increase in temperature by decreasing it through shifting the equilibrium [2 marks]
to the left, decreasing yield. This means the left side is endothermic due to the equilibrium shift and
the forward reaction is exothermic.

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