Chemical Equilibrium Concept of Dynamic Equilibrium Heterogeneous Equilibrium Equilibrium Constant Applications Le Chatelier’s Principle TemperatureReactants/ProductsPressure/Volume

Chemical EquilibriumChemical Equilibrium

Concept of Dynamic Equilibrium

HeterogeneousEquilibrium

Equilibrium ConstantHomogeneous

Equilibrium

Applications

Le Chatelier’sPrinciple

Temperature Reactants/Products Pressure/Volume

04/20/23

• Consider colorless frozen N2O4. At room temperature, it decomposes to brown NO2:

N2O4(g) 2NO2(g).

• At some time, the color stops changing and we have a mixture of N2O4 and NO2.

• Chemical equilibrium is the point at which the concentrations of all species are constant.

The Concept of EquilibriumThe Concept of EquilibriumThe Concept of EquilibriumThe Concept of Equilibrium


• At equilibrium, as much N2O4 reacts to form NO2 as NO2 reacts to re-form N2O4:

• The double arrow implies the process is dynamic.• Consider

Forward reaction: A B Rate = kf[A]

Reverse reaction: B A Rate = kr[B]

• At equilibrium kf[A] = kr[B].


N2O4(g) 2NO2(g)

NO2 – equilibrium


The Equilibrium ConstantThe Equilibrium ConstantThe Equilibrium ConstantThe Equilibrium Constant

• For a general reaction in the gas phase

the equilibrium constant expression is

where Keq is the equilibrium constant.

aA + bB cC + dD

ba

dc

eqPP

PPK

BA

DC


• For a general reaction

the equilibrium constant expression for everything in solution is

where Keq is the equilibrium constant.

aA + bB cC + dD

ba

dc

eqKBA

DC


42

2

ON

2NO

P

PKeq

N2O4(g) 2NO2(g)

The Equilibrium ConstantThe Equilibrium ConstantThe Equilibrium ConstantThe Equilibrium ConstantThe Magnitude of Equilibrium Constants

The Direction of the Chemical Equation and Keq

• In the reverse direction:


46.61

155.02NO

ON

2

42 P

PKeq

2NO2(g) N2O4(g)

Other Ways to Manipulate Chemical Equations and Keq Values

• The reaction

has

which is the square of the equilibrium constant for


2N2O4(g) 4NO2(g)

2ON

4NO

42

2

P

PKeq

N2O4(g) 2NO2(g)

Other Ways to Manipulate Chemical Equations and Keq Values

• Equilibrium constant for the reverse direction is the inverse of that for the forward direction.

• When a reaction is multiplied by a number, the equilibrium constant is raised to that power.

• The equilibrium constant for a reaction which is the sum of other reactions is the product of the equilibrium constants for the individual reactions.



Given at 700K:

(i) H2(g) + I2(g) 2 HI(g) Keq = 54.0

(ii) N2(g) + 3 H2(g) 2 NH3(g) Keq’ = 1.04x10-4

Determine Keq’’ at 700K for:

2 NH3(g) + 3 I2(g) 6 HI(g) + N2(g)Answer: 1.51x109

Unit(s) of the Equilibrium Constant

Dimensionless because:

Partial Pressures divided by Reference Pressure of 1 atm.

Molarities divided by Reference Concentration of 1 Molar.

Given at 700K:

(i) H2(g) + I2(g) 2 HI(g) Keq = 54.0

(ii) N2(g) + 3 H2(g) 2 NH3(g) Keq’ = 1.04x10-4

Determine Keq’’ at 700K for:

2 NH3(g) + 3 I2(g) 6 HI(g) + N2(g)

Answer: 1.51x109

• When all reactants and products are in one phase, the equilibrium is homogeneous.

• If one or more reactants or products are in a different phase, the equilibrium is heterogeneous.

• Consider:

– experimentally, the amount of CO2 does not seem to depend on the amounts of CaO and CaCO3. Why?

Heterogeneous EquilibriaHeterogeneous EquilibriaHeterogeneous EquilibriaHeterogeneous Equilibria

CaCO3(s) CaO(s) + CO2(g)

• The concentration of a solid or pure liquid is its density divided by molar mass.

• Neither density nor molar mass is a variable, the concentrations of solids and pure liquids are constant.

• For the decomposition of CaCO3:


]CO[constant]CO[]CaCO[

CaO][22

3eqK

• We ignore the concentrations of pure liquids and pure solids in equilibrium constant expressions.

• The amount of CO2 formed will not depend greatly on the amounts of CaO and CaCO3 present.

• Examples:


(g)H (aq)Sn (aq)H 2 Sn(s)

O(l)H CO(g) )(H )(CO

22

222

gg

• Proceed as follows:– Tabulate initial and equilibrium concentrations (or partial pressures)

given.– If an initial and equilibrium concentration is given for a species, calculate

the change in concentration.– Use stoichiometry on the change in concentration line only to calculate the

changes in concentration of all species.– Deduce the equilibrium concentrations of all species.

• Usually, the initial concentration of products is zero. (This is not always the case.)

Calculating Equilibrium ConstantsCalculating Equilibrium ConstantsCalculating Equilibrium ConstantsCalculating Equilibrium Constants

Calculating Equilibrium ConstantsCalculating Equilibrium ConstantsCalculating Equilibrium ConstantsCalculating Equilibrium Constants

1. A mixture of H2(g) and N2(g) is allowed to attain equilibrium at 472oC. At equilibrium, the partial pressures of the gases were determined to be 7.38 atm H2, 2.46 atm N2 and 0.166 atm NH3. Calculate Keq .

2. Enough ammonia is dissolved in 5.00 L of water at 25oC to produce a solution that is 0.0124 M in ammonia. The solution is then allowed to come to equilibrium. Analysis of the equilibrium mixture shows that the concentration of OH- is 4.64x10-4 M. Calculate Keq at 25oC for the reaction.

3. Gaseous sulfur trioxide decomposes to gases of sulfur dioxide and oxygen at high temperature in a sealed container. Initially the vessel is charged at 1000 K with SO3(g) at a partial pressure of 0.500 atm. At equilibrium, the SO3 partial pressure is 0.200 atm. Calculate the value of Keq at 1000 K.

A mixture of H2(g) and N2(g) is allowed to attain equilibrium at 472oC. At equilibrium, the partial pressures of the gases were determined to be 7.38 atm H2, 2.46 atm N2 and 0.166 atm NH3. Calculate Keq .

Answer: 2.79x10-5Answer: 2.79x10-5

Enough ammonia is dissolved in 5.00 L of water at 25oC to produce a solution that is 0.0124 M in ammonia. The solution is then allowed to come to equilibrium. Analysis of the equilibrium mixture shows that the concentration of OH- is 4.64x10-4 M. Calculate Keq at 25oC for the reaction.

Answer: 1.80x10-5Answer: 1.80x10-5

Gaseous sulfur trioxide decomposes to gases of sulfur dioxide and oxygen at high temperature in a sealed container. Initially the vessel is charged at 1000 K with SO3(g) at a partial pressure of 0.500 atm. At equilibrium, the SO3 partial pressure is 0.200 atm. Calculate the value of Keq at 1000 K.

Answer: 0.338Answer: 0.338

Predicting the Direction of Reaction• We define Q, the reaction quotient, for a general reaction

as

• Q = K only at equilibrium.

Applications of Equilibrium ConstantsApplications of Equilibrium ConstantsApplications of Equilibrium ConstantsApplications of Equilibrium Constants

aA + bB cC + dD

ba

dc

PP

PPQ

BA

DC

Predicting the Direction of Reaction• If Q > K then the reverse reaction must occur to reach

equilibrium (i.e., products are consumed, reactants are formed, the numerator in the equilibrium constant expression decreases and Q decreases until it equals K).

• If Q < K then the forward reaction must occur to reach equilibrium.


Calculating Equilibrium Constants• The same steps used to calculate equilibrium constants are

used.• Generally, we do not have a number for the change in

concentration line.• Therefore, we need to assume that x mol/L of a species is

produced (or used).• The equilibrium concentrations are given as algebraic

expressions.



1. At 1000 K the value of Keq for the reaction 2SO3(g) 2SO2(g) + O2(g) is 0.338 . Calculate the value for Q, and predict the direction in which the reaction will proceed toward equilibrium if the initial partial pressures are 0.16 atm for SO3, 0.41 atm for SO2 , and 2.5 atm for O2 .

2. At 448oC, Keq is 51 for: H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g) . Predict how the reaction will proceed to reach equilibrium at 448oC if we start with 2.0x10-2 mol HI , 1.0x10-2 mol H2 , and 3.0x10-2 mol I2 in a 2.00-L container.

[Hint: Calculate partial pressures using Ideal Gas Law. Calculate Q.]

[Answer: Q=1.33 Reaction proceeds from left to right (i.e. more products)]

Predicting the Direction of Reaction


Calculating Equilibrium Concentrations

1. At 500 K the reaction: PCl5(g) PCl3(g) + Cl2(g) , has Keq = 0.497 . In an equilibrium mixture at 500 K, the partial pressure of PCl5 is 0.860 atm and that of PCl3 is 0.350 atm. What is the partial pressure of Cl2 in the equilibrium mixture?

2. A 1.000-L flask is filled with 1.000 mol of H2 and 2.000 mol of I2 at 448oC. The value of the Keq for the reaction: H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g) , at 448oC is 50.5. What are the partial pressures of H2 , I2 , and HI in the flask at equilibrium?

[Hint: Solve for initial partial pressures using Ideal Gas law. Set up initial/change/equil’m table and define x as change in partial pressures of reactants. Solve for x in Keq expression using quadratic formulation.]

[Answer: x = 55.3 atm; H2 = 3.90 atm, I2 = 63.1 atm, HI = 111 atm.]

2. A 1.000-L flask is filled with 1.000 mol of H2 and 2.000 mol of I2 at 448oC. The value of the Keq for the reaction: H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g) , at 448oC is 50.5. What are the partial pressures of H2 , I2 , and HI in the flask at equilibrium?

[Hint: Solve for initial partial pressures using Ideal Gas law. Set up initial/change/equil’m table and define x as change in partial pressures of reactants. Solve for x in Keq expression using quadratic formulation.]

[Answer: x = 55.3 atm; H2 = 3.90 atm, I2 = 63.1 atm, HI = 111 atm.]

Consider the production of ammonia

• As the pressure increases, the amount of ammonia present at equilibrium increases.

• As the temperature decreases, the amount of ammonia at equilibrium increases.

• Can this be predicted?

Le ChLe Châtelier’s Principleâtelier’s PrincipleLe ChLe Châtelier’s Principleâtelier’s Principle

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

Le Châtelier’s Principle: if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, the system will move in such a way as to counteract the disturbance.

Change in Reactant or Product Concentrations• Consider the Haber process

• If H2 is added while the system is at equilibrium, the system must respond to counteract the added H2 (by Le Châtelier).

• The system must consume the H2 and produce products until a new equilibrium is established.

• So, [H2] and [N2] will decrease and [NH3] increases.


N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

Change in Reactant or Product Concentrations• Adding a reactant or product shifts the equilibrium away from

the increase.

• Removing a reactant or product shifts the equilibrium towards the decrease.

• To optimize the amount of product at equilibrium, we need to flood the reaction vessel with reactant and continuously remove product (Le Châtelier).

• We illustrate the concept with the industrial preparation of ammonia.


Effects of Volume and Pressure Changes• As volume is decreased pressure increases.• Le Châtelier’s Principle: if pressure is increased the system will

shift to counteract the increase.• That is, the system shifts to remove gases and decrease pressure.• An increase in pressure favors the direction that has fewer moles

of gas.• In a reaction with the same number of product and reactant

moles of gas, pressure has no effect.


Effects of Volume and Pressure Changes

• An increase in pressure (by decreasing the volume) favors the formation of colorless N2O4.

• The instant the pressure increases, the system is not at equilibrium and the concentration of both gases has increased.

• The system moves to reduce the number moles of gas (i.e. backward reaction is favored).


N2O4(g) 2NO2(g)

Effect of Temperature Changes

• The equilibrium constant is temperature dependent.• For an endothermic reaction, H > 0 and heat can be

considered as a reactant.• For an exothermic reaction, H < 0 and heat can be

considered as a product.


Effect of Temperature Changes

• Adding heat (i.e. heating the vessel) favors away from the increase:– if H > 0, adding heat favors the forward reaction,– if H < 0, adding heat favors the reverse reaction.

• Removing heat (i.e. cooling the vessel), favors towards the decrease:– if H > 0, cooling favors the reverse reaction,– if H < 0, cooling favors the forward reaction.


Effect of Temperature Changes• Consider

for which H > 0.– Co(H2O)6

2+ is pale pink and CoCl42- is blue.

– If a light purple room temperature equilibrium mixture is placed in a beaker of warm water, the mixture turns deep blue.

– Since H > 0 (endothermic), adding heat favors the forward reaction, i.e. the formation of blue CoCl4

2-.

– If the room temperature equilibrium mixture is placed in a beaker of ice water, the mixture turns bright pink.

– Since H > 0, removing heat favors the reverse reaction which is the formation of pink Co(H2O)62+.


Cr(H2O)62+(aq) + 4Cl-(aq) CoCl4

2-(aq) + 6H2O(l)

The Effect of Catalysis

• A catalyst lowers the activation energy barrier for the reaction.

• Therefore, a catalyst will decrease the time taken to reach equilibrium.

• A catalyst does not affect the composition of the equilibrium mixture.


Le ChLe Châtelier’s Principle Summaryâtelier’s Principle SummaryLe ChLe Châtelier’s Principle Summaryâtelier’s Principle Summary

Adding a reactant or product shifts the equilibrium away from the increase.

Upon pressure increase, reaction will proceed towards the side with the fewest number of gaseous moles.

Adding heat (i.e. heating the vessel) favors away from the increase:if ∆H > 0, adding heat favors the forward reaction,if ∆H < 0, adding heat favors the reverse reaction.

A catalyst does not affect the composition of the equilibrium mixture.

If a system at equilibrium is disturbed, the system will move in such a way as to counteract the disturbance.

Chemical EquilibriumChemical Equilibrium

Concept of Dynamic Equilibrium

HeterogeneousEquilibrium

Equilibrium ConstantHomogeneous

Equilibrium

Applications

Le Chatelier’sPrinciple

Temperature Reactants/Products Pressure/Volume

ba

dc

eqPP

PPK

BA

DC ba

dc

eqKBA

DC

Documents

Chemical Equilibrium Concept of Dynamic Equilibrium Heterogeneous Equilibrium Equilibrium Constant Applications Le Chatelier’s Principle TemperatureReactants/ProductsPressure/Volume