REVERSIBLE

REACTIONS AND Class 2 – Factors

affecting equilibrium
EQUILIBRIUM
RECAP + KEYWORDS
• Reversible reaction occurs in a closed system, where there is a constant
(continuous) interchange between reactants and products. Such systems are said
to be ‘Dynamic’.
• An equilibrium is established when the rate (speed) of the forward reaction is
equal to the rate of backward reaction.
• Le Chatelier’s principle states that for a system at equilibrium, if a change in the
conditions are imposed on the system, the system will counteract / oppose the
changes being imposed, in order to establish equilibrium once again.
RECAP + KEYWORDS
A+B⇌C+D
For A + B ⇌ C + D
The forward reaction is A + B giving C + D. Left hand Right hand
side side
Reactants = A and B
Products = C and D

The backward reaction is C + D to form back A + B

Reactants = C and D
Products = A and B
 EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE
The exact effect of temperature on a reaction at equilibrium depends on whether the
reaction is exothermic or endothermic.

For an Endothermic reaction

Note: This reaction is considered
Consider the following reaction: as an endo reaction based on the
ΔH of the forward reaction
A+B⇌ C+D ΔH = + 90 kJ/mol
Left hand side Right hand side

Understand the reaction as

A+ B →C+D ΔH = + 90 kJ/mol ( the forward reaction is endo)
C+D→A+B ΔH = - 90 kJ/mol ( the backward reaction is exo)
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE
 If the temperature is increased for this reacting system, the system will oppose the
increase of heat energy by using it in order to re-establish the equilibrium. This
happens during the endo step.
Therefore, an increase in temperature will cause the position of equilibrium to shift
(change) to the right and favour the forward reaction / endo reaction. So more A and
B are used up and more C and D are formed.

 If the temperature is decreased for this system at equilibrium, the system will
oppose the decrease of heat energy by producing it during the exo step.
Therefore, a decrease in temperature will cause the position of equilibrium to shift
(change) to the left and favour the backward reaction / exo reaction. So more C and D
react together to give A and B.
 EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE
For an Exothermic reaction
Consider the following reaction:
P+Q⇌ R+S ΔH = - 25 kJ/mol Note: This reaction is considered as an exo
Left hand side Right hand side reaction based on the ΔH of the forward reaction

Understand the reaction as

P+Q→R+S ΔH = - 25 kJ/mol ( the forward reaction is exo)
R+S→P+Q ΔH = + 25 kJ/mol ( the backward reaction is endo)
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE
 If the temperature is increased for this system, the system will oppose the increase
of heat energy by using it during the endo step.
Therefore, an increase in temperature will cause the position of equilibrium to shift
(change) to the left and favour the backward reaction / endo reaction. So more R and
S are used up and more P and Q are formed.

 If the temperature is decreased for the system at equilibrium, the system will
oppose the decrease of heat energy by producing it during the exo step.
Therefore, a decrease in temperature will cause the position of equilibrium to shift
(change) to the right and favour the forward reaction / exo reaction. So more P and Q
react together to give R and S.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE
Overall,

Increase in temperature ⇒ ( excess of heat)

The position of equilibrium will shift to oppose the rise/increase in

temperature and favour the endo reaction (use the excess of heat)

Decrease in temperature ⇒ ( Lack of heat)

The position of equilibrium will shift to oppose the drop/reduction/
decrease in temperature and favour the endo reaction (produce more
heat)
EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION
(AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE
PRESENT)
Consider the equation below
A(aq) + B (aq) ⇌ C (aq) + D (aq)
If the concentration of either aqueous A (or B) is increased, there will be an excess of A (or B) present
in the reaction vessel. So the system will act to remove this excess and re-establish the equilibrium.
As a result, the position of the equilibrium shifts to favour the forward reaction and A and B will react
to form more C and D. ( The amounts of A and B decrease while the amounts of C and D increase.)

If the concentration of either aq A (or B) is decreased, there will be a ‘lack’ of A (or B) in the reaction
vessel. Once again, the system will behave in such a way to change this situation and re-establish
equilibrium. As a result, the position of equilibrium shifts and favours the backward reaction, during
which C and D react to form more A and B. ( The amounts of C and D decrease while the amounts of
A and B increase).
EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION
(AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE
PRESENT)
If the concentration of either aqueous C (or D) is increased, there will be an excess of C (or D)
present in the reaction vessel. The position of the equilibrium shifts to favour the forward
reaction and so, C and D will react to form more A and B. ( The amounts of C and D decrease
while the amounts of A and B increase.)

If the concentration of either aq C (or D) is decreased, there will be a ‘lack’ of C (or D) in the
reaction vessel. The position of equilibrium shifts and favours the forward reaction, during
which A and B react to form more A and B. ( The amounts of C and D increase while the
amounts of A and B decrease).
EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION
(AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE
PRESENT)
For a reaction involving a solid and a substance in another physical state, the same logic
is applied.
Consider, solid silver chloride dissolving in water. The equation for the reaction is given
as:
AgCl(s) ⇌ +
If the amount of AgCl is increased, the position of equilibrium shifts from the left to the
right and the forward reaction is favoured. Less solid will be present and more
dissociation will occur / more ions of Ag and Cl will be formed.
If the concentration of either Ag+ ion or Cl- ion is increased, the equilibrium shifts to the
right towards the formation of more AgCl. So, more solid will be seen in the solution in
this case. (One way this is done ... (Leave abt 10 lines for explanation))
EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION
(AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE
PRESENT)
Similar logic applies for a reaction involving only gases:
e.g, H2 (g) + I2(g) ⇌ 2 HI(g)
If the amount of Hydrogen is increased (be it in the form of increase in mass or
volume of gas), then the position of the equilibrium will shift to favour the forward
reaction (Left to Right) towards the formation of more gaseous Hydrogen iodide, HI.

Note: H2 and HI are colourless gases while I2 is a violet gas. The observation which
is made during this reaction is, as the forward reaction is favoured, more I2 is used
up, so in the reaction vessel, the violet colour will decrease.
EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION
(AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE
PRESENT)
Question: State and explain what is observed in the reaction vessel if
1. The amount of H2 is decreased
2. The amount of HI is increased
3. The amount of HI is decreased.