Reversible reactions

1.Understand that some reactions are reversible

Reversible and are indicated by the symbol ⇌ in equations
2.Describe reversible reactions such as the
Reactions dehydration of hydrated copper(II) sulphate and
the effect of heat on ammonium chloride
3.Understand the concept of dynamic
equilibrium
4.Understand Le Chatelier's Principle and
.predict the effects of changing the pressure and
temperature on the equilibrium position in
reversible reactions.
 Reversible Reactions

OK, let’s introduce

you to a new
symbol and
concept.
Reversible Reactions

This is the
symbol for
a reversible
reaction
Reversible Reactions

A reversible
reaction is one
which can go in both
directions.
 Reversible Reactions

This means that in a chemical

reaction the products of the
reaction can be turned back into
the original reactants.
Reversible Reactions

For example:

A + B C + D
 Reversible Reactions

For example:

A + B C + D

A and B react to produce C and D, but

also C and D can react to produce A
and B.
Reversible Reactions

Let’s look at
an example
 Reversible Reactions
Heating blue
copper sulphate

Water
vapour
Heat
 Reversible Reactions
Heating blue
copper sulphate

Water
vapour

White
anhydrous
Heat

copper
sulphate
Reversible Reactions
Add a few
drops of
Blue
water
hydrated
copper
sulphate

White
anhydrous
copper
sulphate
 Reversible Reactions
CuSO4.5H2O CuSO4 + 5H2O
Add a few
drops of
Blue water
hydrated
copper
sulphate

White
anhydrous
copper
sulphate
Reversible Reactions

Let’s look at
another example –
favourite one in
the exams!
Reversible Reactions

Let’s look at The Thermal

another example – Decomposition
favourite one in of ammonium
the exams! chloride,
NH4Cl
 Reversible Reactions
NH4Cl NH3 + HCl

Water
in and
out

Solid
ammonium
chloride
Ammonia and
HCl gases

Solid
ammonium
Hea
t

chloride
 Reversible Reactions
NH4Cl NH3 + HCl
1. When heated. Ammonium
Water in
chloride splits up into
and out
ammonia gas and hydrogen
chloride gas.

Solid ammonium
chloride
Ammonia and
HCl gases

Solid ammonium
chloride
Hea
t
 Reversible Reactions
NH4Cl NH3 + HCl
1. When heated. Ammonium
Water in
chloride splits up into
and out
ammonia gas and hydrogen
chloride gas.
2. As these gases cool on the
bottom of the flask, they
Solid ammonium recombine to form solid
chloride ammonium chloride again.
Ammonia and
HCl gases

Solid ammonium
chloride
Hea
t
 Reversible Reactions
NH4Cl NH3 + HCl
1. When heated. Ammonium
Water in
chloride splits up into
and out
ammonia gas and hydrogen
chloride gas.
2. As these gases cool on the
bottom of the flask, they
Solid ammonium recombine to form solid
chloride ammonium chloride again.
Ammonia and 3. This is a good example of
HCl gases a reversible reaction
because the products
Solid ammonium recombine to easily form
chloride the original reactants.
Hea
t
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems

A dynamic equilibrium is a chemical equilibrium

between a forward reaction and the reverse
reaction where the rate of the reactions are
equal. At this point, the ratio between reactants
and products remains unchanged over time.
Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems

Try to imagine a closed

system where no more
reactants are added, and
no products are removed.
Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems

A + B C + D

A and B will be combining to form C

and D, while at the same time C and D
will be combining to form A + B.
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems

A + B C + D

A point will eventually be reached when

the rate of the forward reaction is
equal to the rate of the backward
reaction.
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems

A + B C + D

This point is know as the

DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM
 Le Chatelier's Principle.

For a reversible reaction, Le Chatelier's principle states

that

"The equilibrium position will respond

to oppose a change in the reaction conditions".
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium
If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to
right) is ENDOTHERMIC and heat energy is
taken in ……..

A + B C + D
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium

If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right) is

ENDOTHERMIC and heat energy is taken in ……..

Then if the
temperature
is increased.
A + B C + D
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium
If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right)
is ENDOTHERMIC and heat energy is taken in ……..

The yield of
Then if the products is
temperature increased,
is increased A + B C + D and more
heat is
taken in
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium
If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right) is
ENDOTHERMIC and heat energy is taken in ……..

Then if the
temperature
A + B C + D
is decreased
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium

If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right) is

ENDOTHERMIC and heat energy is taken in ……..

The yield of
Then if the products is
temperature decreased,
is decreased A + B C + D and less
heat is
taken in
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium

If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right) is

EXOTHERMIC and heat energy is given out……..

A + B C + D
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium
If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right) is
EXOTHERMIC and heat energy is given out……..

Then if the
temperature
is increased. A + B C + D
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium
If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right) is
EXOTHERMIC and heat energy is given out……..

The yield of
Then if the products is
temperature is decreased, and
increased. less heat is given
A + B C + D out.
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium
If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right) is
EXOTHERMIC and heat energy is given out……..

Then if the
temperature
is
decreased. A + B C + D
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Temperature and
equilibrium

If the forward reaction (i.e. going from left to right)

is EXOTHERMIC and heat energy is given out……..
The yield of
Then if the products is
temperature increased,
is A + B C + D and more
decreased. heat is given
out.
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems

What about gases and

equilibrium?
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Pressure and equilibrium
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Pressure and equilibrium
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Pressure and equilibrium
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Pressure and equilibrium Increasing the pressure will
push the reaction in the
direction of fewer molecules
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Pressure and equilibrium Increasing the pressure will
push the reaction in the
direction of fewer molecules

Increased pressure
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
Pressure and equilibrium Decreasing the pressure will
push the reaction in the
direction of more molecules

Decreased pressure
 Reversible Reactions and
Closed Systems
1. If you remove a product, the equilibrium mixture
changes to make more product. It tries to return to the
composition it had before the product was removed.
You can continue to remove more product until
all of the reactants have turned into product (useful!).

The reverse is also true.

If you remove a reactant the equilibrium changes
to make more reactant (this is generally not useful).
1.Sulfur dioxide reacts with oxygen to make sulfur trioxide in a reversible
reaction:
2SO2(s) + O2(g) ⇌2SO3(g) Predict the effect of increasing the
pressure and explain your answer.

2. Hydrogen can be manufactured by reacting carbon with steam:

C(s) + H2O(g) ⇌ H2(g) + CO(g) (forward reaction is endothermic). Predict
the effect of increasing the temperature and explain your answer.

3. Iron(III) ions react with thiocyanate ions, SCN-, in a reversible reaction:

Fe3+(aq) + SCN-(aq) ⇌ FeSCN2+(aq). Predict the effect of adding more
iron(III) ions and explain your answer.
 Haber process

Nitrogen gas is reacted with hydrogen gas to make ammonia gas. The
forward reaction is exothermic.

N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g) ΔH=−92 kJ

 Haber process

Effects of various changes on the reaction:

• What will happen if the concentration of products is

increased?
• What will happen if the concentration of products is
decreased?
 Haber process
Effects of various changes on the reaction:

•Upon the addition of reactants, the resulting

increase in reactant concentration causes the
equilibrium to shift towards a greater concentration
of products (so as to negate the increase in the
concentration of reactants)
 Haber process

Effects of various changes on the reaction:

What will happen if the temperature is

increased?
 Haber process
Effects of various changes on the reaction:

•When the temperature is increased, the equilibrium

shifts towards the reactant side. This is because the
formation of ammonia is an exothermic reaction,
implying that the backward reaction is an
endothermic one.
 Haber process

What is the effect of pressure on the reversible

reaction of producing ammonia?
 Haber process

The effect of pressure on chemical equilibrium is based on the partial

pressures of the reactants and products rather than the total
pressure in the system. A reduction in the pressure causes a shift
towards the reactant side because the backward reaction leads to an
increase in the number of moles.