TOPIC 7

EQUILIBRIUM
7.1
EQUILIBRIUM

By: Merinda Sautel

Alameda Int’l Jr/Sr High
School
Lakewood, CO
msautel@jeffco.k12.co.us
 ESSENTIAL IDEA
Many reactions are reversible. These reactions
will reach a state of equilibrium when the rates of
the forward reaction and reverse reaction are
equal. The position of equilibrium can be
controlled by changing the conditions.
NATURE OF SCIENCE (1.8)
Obtaining evidence for scientific theories – isotopic labeling
and its use in defining equilibrium.
NATURE OF SCIENCE (5.5)
Common language across different disciplines – the term
dynamic equilibrium is used in other contexts, but not
necessarily with the chemistry definition in mind.
 INTERNATIONAL-MINDEDNESS

The Haber process has been described as the

most important chemical reaction on Earth as it
has revolutionized global food production.
However, it also had a large impact on weaponry
in both world wars.
 THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
Scientists investigate the world at different scales; the
macroscopic and microscopic. Which ways of knowing allow us
to move from the macroscopic to the microscopic?

Chemistry uses a specialized vocabulary; a closed system is

one in which no matter is exchanged with the surroundings.
Does our vocabulary simply communicate knowledge, or does it
shape what we can know?

The career of Fritz Haber coincided with the political upheavals

of two world wars. He supervised the release of chlorine on the
battlefield in World War I and worked on the production of
explosives. How does the social context of scientific work affect
the methods and findings of science? Should scientists be held
morally responsible for the applications of their discoveries?
 UNDERSTANDING/KEY IDEA
7.1.A

A state of equilibrium is reached in

a closed system when the rates of
the forward and reverse reactions
are equal.
• The system is at equilibrium when the
rate of the forward reaction equals the
rate of the reverse reaction and the
concentration of products and
reactants remains unchanged.
• A reversible reaction is a chemical
reaction in which the products can
react to re-form the reactants.
Arrows going both directions (  ) indicates equilibrium in a chemical equation.

2HgO(s)  2Hg(l) + O2(g)

 APPLICATION/SKILLS

Be familiar with the characteristics

of chemical and physical systems
in a state of equilibrium.
 EQUILIBRIUM IN
PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
• A physical system is one in which a chemical
reaction is not occurring.
• Equilibrium will only occur in a “closed” system.
• A “closed” system is one in which no matter can
be exchanged with the surroundings.
• A typical example is the evaporation-
condensation cycle of a volatile liquid in a closed
container.
– When the rate of evaporation equals the rate of
condensation, the system is at equilibrium.
 EQUILIBRIUM IN
CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
• A chemical system is one in which a
chemical reaction is occurring.
• For the system to reach equilibrium, the
forward reaction must equal that of the
reverse reaction.
• See the graphic on the next slide.
2NO2(g)  2NO(g) + O2(g)
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
EQUILIBRIUM STATE
• 1. Equilibrium is dynamic – the reaction has not
stopped but both reactions or processes are still
occurring on the microscopic level even though
it looks like the reaction or process has
stopped.
• 2. Equilibrium is achieved in a closed system
so that no matter can escape to the
surroundings.
• 3. The concentrations of reactants and
products remain constant at equilibrium – they
are being produced or consumed at an equal
rate.
• 4. There is no macroscopic change in properties –
meaning the observable properties do not change at
equilibrium because they depend on the
concentration of the mixture components.
• 5. Equilibrium can be reached from either direction –
meaning that at the same conditions equilibrium will
be reached whether the reaction started with all
reactants, all products or a mixture of both.
• 6. It is important to note that even though the
concentrations of reactants and products are
constant at equilibrium, this does not imply they are
equal.
 Equilibrium Position
• The equilibrium position is the proportion of the
reactants and products in the equilibrium mixture.
• A reaction with an equilibrium mixture with mostly
products is said to “lie to the right”.
• A reaction with an equilibrium mixture with mostly
reactants is said to “lie to the left”.
• We can quantitatively compare equilibrium mixtures
with different conditions by using the equilibrium
constant Kc.
• There can be numerous equilibrium positions, but
only one equilibrium constant, Kc, at a specified
temperature.
 UNDERSTANDING/KEY IDEA
7.1.B

The equilibrium law describes how

the equilibrium constant (Kc) can be
determined for a particular
chemical reaction.
Equilibrium Constant Kc
For the reaction:
reaction

jA + kB  lC + mD
l m
[C ] [ D ]
K j k
[ A] [ B ]
Where Kc is the equilibrium constant,
and is unitless. The only thing that
can change Kc for a reaction is a
change in temperature.
 APPLICATION/SKILLS

Be able to deduce the equilibrium

constant (Kc) from an equation for a
homogeneous reaction.
Writing an Equilibrium Expression
Write the equilibrium expression for the
reaction:
2NO2(g)  2NO(g) + O2(g)
Remember that concentrations are written with
square brackets [ ]. Kc is calculated using molar
concentrations. Solids and liquids are not
included in the K expression.
Kc = ???
2
[ NO ] [O2 ]
K 2
[ NO2 ]
 UNDERSTANDING/KEY IDEA
7.1.C

The magnitude of the equilibrium

constant indicates the extent of a
reaction at equilibrium and is
temperature dependent.
Product Favored Equilibrium
Large values for K signify the reaction is
“product favored”

When equilibrium is achieved, most of

the reactants have been converted to
products.
Reactant Favored Equilibrium
Small values for K signify the reaction is
“reactant favored”

When equilibrium is achieved, very little

reactant has been converted to product.
 UNDERSTANDING/KEY IDEA
7.1.D
The reaction quotient (Q) measures the
relative amount of products and reactants
present during a reaction at a particular
point in time. Q is the equilibrium expression
with non-equilibrium concentrations. The
position of the equilibrium changes with
changes in concentration, pressure and
temperature.
 The Reaction Quotient
For some time, t, when the system is not at
equilibrium, the reaction quotient, Q takes the
place of K, the equilibrium constant, in the
law of mass action.

jA + kB  lC + mD
l m
[C ] [ D ]
Q j k
[ A] [ B ]
 Significance of the Reaction
Quotient
 If Q = K, the system is at equilibrium

 If Q > K, the system shifts to the left,

consuming products and forming reactants
until equilibrium is achieved

 If Q < K, the system shifts to the right,

consuming reactants and forming products
until equilibrium is achieved
 APPLICATION/SKILLS

Be able to determine the

relationship between different
equilibrium constants for the same
reaction at the same temperature.
• The equilibrium constant Kc has a fixed
value at the same temperature.
• You can derive Kc from different sets of
data for the same reaction at constant
temperature.
• All Kc values should be equal no matter
how you arrived at the value since only
temperature affects Kc.
 GUIDANCE
Be familiar with the relationship
between Kc values for reactions
that are multiples or inverses of
each other.
 Conclusions about Equilibrium Expressions
 If an equation is written in reverse, the K
expression is the reciprocal of the original K.

2NO2(g)  2NO(g) + O2(g)

2
[ NO ] [O2 ]
K 2
[ NO2 ]
2NO(g) + O2(g)  2NO2(g)
2
1 [ NO2 ]
K '  2
K [ NO ] [O2 ]
 Conclusions about Equilibrium Expressions
 When the balanced equation for a reaction
is multiplied by a factor n, the equilibrium
expression for the new reaction is the
original expression, raised to the nth power.
2NO2(g)  2NO(g) + O2(g)
2
[ NO ] [O2 ]
K 2
[ NO2 ]
NO2(g)  NO(g) + ½O2(g)
1
1
[ NO ][O2 ] 2
K ' K 
2
[ NO2 ]
• If you add two reactions together, you will
multiply the two K expressions to obtain
the new K’.
 UNDERSTANDING/KEY IDEA
7.1.E

A catalyst has no effect on the

position of equilibrium or the
equilibrium constant.
 ADDITION OF A CATALYST
• When a catalyst is added, both the rate of
the forward and the rate of the reverse
reactions are increased by the same
amount so there is no effect on the
equilibrium position.
• It only speeds up how fast Kc is achieved.
 APPLICATION/SKILLS
Be able to apply Le Chatelier’s
principle to predict the qualitative
effects of changes of temperature,
pressure, and concentration on the
position of equilibrium and on the
value of the equilibrium constant.
 LeChatelier’s Principle
When a system at equilibrium is placed under stress,
the system will undergo a change in such a way as
to relieve that stress.
Translated: The system undergoes a temporary
shift in order to restore equilibrium.
1. When you add a substance or heat, the
system shifts to the opposite side.
2. When you take out a substance or heat, the
system shifts to the side of the take out.
3. When you increase pressure, the system
shifts to the side with the least number of
gaseous molecules.
 LeChatelier Example #1
A closed container of ice and water is at
equilibrium. Then, the temperature is raised.

Ice + Energy 
Water
The system temporarily shifts to the
right to restore equilibrium.
_______
 LeChatelier Example #2
A closed container of N2O4 and NO2 is at
equilibrium. NO2 is added to the container.

N2O4 (g) + Energy  2 NO2 (g)

The system temporarily shifts to the

left
_______ to restore equilibrium.
 LeChatelier Example #3
A closed container of water and its vapor is at
equilibrium. Vapor is removed from the system.

water + Energy  vapor

The system temporarily shifts to the

right to restore equilibrium.
_______
 LeChatelier Example #4
A closed container of N2O4 and NO2 is at
equilibrium. The pressure is increased.

N2O4 (g) + Energy  2 NO2 (g)

The system temporarily shifts to the

left
_______ to restore equilibrium, because
there are fewer moles of gas on that side
of the equation.
 Industrial Applications
• ***Remember the only thing that can
change the value of Kc is a change in
temperature.
• In reactions involving the manufacture of a
chemical, the goal is to obtain the highest
yield possible.
• We use our knowledge of Le Chatelier’s
principle and kinetics to maximize the yield.
 HABER PROCESS: Production of NH3
• N2(g) + 3H2(g)  2NH3(g) ∆H = -93 kJ/mol
• First we need to get information from the
balanced equation.
– All products and reactants are in the gaseous
state with 4 moles on the left and 2 on the right.
– The reaction is exothermic so we want to re-
write the equation as:
– N2(g) + 3H2(g)  2NH3(g) + heat
 N2(g) + 3H2(g)  2NH3(g) + heat

• To maximize the amount of NH3 obtained we can do several

things:
– 1. Remove NH3 as it is produced so the reaction will continue
to the right producing more NH3 to achieve equilibrium.
– 2. Increasing the pressure pushes the equilibrium to the side
of the least gaseous molecules which is to the right; therefore,
producing more NH3.
– 3. We want a lower temperature since the reaction is
exothermic, but not too low which would slow things down too
far.
– 4. Adding a catalyst will speed up the reaction and
compensate for the lower temperature.
 CONTACT PROCESS: Production of
sulfuric acid, H2SO4
• Sulfuric acid has the highest production of any
chemical in the world.
• There are three steps in the production of H2SO4
with the second step being the rate determining
step.
• 1. Combustion of sulfur to form sulfur dioxide.
• 2. Oxidation of sulfur dioxide to form sulfur trioxide.
• 3. Combination of sulfur trioxide produced in step 2
with water.
 2SO2(g) + O2(g)  2SO3(g) ∆H=-196 kJ/mol
• Again, the reaction is exothermic and has fewer
gaseous molecules on the right so we will basically
follow the same industrial applications as with the
Haber process.
• 1. We will not take out SO3 because it is what is
needed for step 3 of the process.
• 2. Increase pressure to shift equilibrium to the right.
• 3. Lower temperature because the reaction is
exothermic.
• 4. Add a catalyst to increase the rate of the
reaction.
 Citations
International Baccalaureate Organization. Chemistry Guide, First
assessment 2016. Updated 2015.
Brown, Catrin, and Mike Ford. Higher Level Chemistry. 2nd ed.
N.p.: Pearson Baccalaureate, 2014. Print.
ISBN 978 1 447 95975 5
eBook 978 1 447 95976 2

Most of the information found in this power point comes directly

from this textbook.

The power point has been made to directly complement the Higher
Level Chemistry textbook by Brown and Ford and is used for direct
instructional purposes only.