Chemistry Investigatory Project

Table Of Contents
Sl.No Particulars Page No.
1. Introduction 2
2. Theory 2
3. Requirements 8
4. Procedure 8
5. Table 9
6. Observations 9
7. Precautions 10
Page 1
1. INTRODUCTION
Le Chatelier’s Principle shows how concentration, pressure, and
temperature affect the
Equilibrium position for a reaction. With a constant and given
temperature, the Kc value remains the same however the amount
of reactants and products may shift to accommodate the changes
made to the reaction to create equilibrium again. When the
temperature is changed, the Kc value changes as well and the
reactants and products shift to fit the new Kc value. Using colored
substances can help the understanding of this principle.
2. THEORY
Let's see how chemical equilibria behave when concentration

changes.
Many chemical reactions involve a state of equilibrium.
Equilibrium is said to be dynamic when the rate of forward
reaction become equal to that of the backward reaction.
Page 2
Consider a general reversible reaction;
With the passage of time, there is a depletion of the reactants A

and B and an accumulation of the products C and D. As a result,
the rate of forward reaction decreases and that of backward
reaction increases. Eventually, the two reactions occur at the
same rate and the system reaches a state of equilibrium.
Law of Chemical Equilibrium-

Norwegian chemists Cato Maxmillian Guldberg and Peter Waage
proposed that for a chemical reaction;
The rate of reaction in either direction is proportional to the active

mass (concentration) of the reactants.
By applying the Law of Mass Action;
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The rate of forward reaction;
The rate of back wards reaction;
Where [A], [B], [C] and [D] are the equilibrium concentrations of A,
B, C and D respectively.
a, b, c, and d represents the stoichiometric coefficients of A, B, C
and D respectively.
Kf and Kb are the rate constants of forward and backward
reaction.
However, at equilibrium,
Rate of forward reaction = Rate of backward reaction.
Or,
Or,
Where,
Kc is called the equilibrium constant expressed in terms of molar
concentrations and the above equation is known as the Law of
Chemical Equilibrium.
Page 4
What does the Law of Chemical Equilibrium state?
The Law of Chemical Equilibrium is defined as, the ratio of
product of concentration of the products to the product of
concentration of the reactants, with each concentration term is
raised to the power by its coefficient in overall balanced chemical
equation, is a constant quantity at a given temperature and it is
called chemical equilibrium.
Le Chatelier’s Principle-
If a system is subjected to a change in concentration of one or
more reactants, or a change in temperature or pressure, the
equilibrium condition of the system is altered. A net reaction will
take place in some direction until a new equilibrium state is
attained.
In 1884, a French Chemist and Engineer, Le Chatelier, showed
that in every such case, the new equilibrium state partially
Page 5
reduces the effect of change that brought it about. This principle is
known as Le Chatelier’s Principle.
The principle states that, if a system at equilibrium is subjected to
a change of pressure or temperature or number of moles of the
component, there will be a tendency for a net reaction in the
direction that reduces the effect of this change.
Effect of concentration change

According to Le Chatelier’s principle, when the concentration of
any of the reactants or products in a reaction at equilibrium is
changed, the composition of the equilibrium mixture changes so
as to minimize the effect of concentration changes.
To illustrate the effect of change in concentration on equilibrium,
consider the equilibrium between ferric ions and thiocyanate ions;
The equilibrium constant for the above reaction can be written as,
Where, [Fe (SCN) 2+], [Fe3+] and [SCN-] are the equilibrium
concentrations of the respective species and Kc is the equilibrium
constant.
[Fe (SCN) 2+]/ [Fe3+][ SCN-] is known as the reaction quotient as
is denoted by Qc. It can be expressed in the same way as
equilibrium constant Kc except that the concentrations in Qc are
not necessarily the equilibrium values.
In this reaction, ferric chloride reacts with potassium thiocyanate
to form a deep red-colored ferric thiocyanate complex. The
intensity of the red color becomes constant on attaining
equilibrium.
Page 6
When the concentration of any of these species is changed, the
equilibrium is disturbed and the reaction quotient remains no
longer equal to equilibrium value. In order to re-establish the
equilibrium, the ions interact in such a way that the reaction
quotient again becomes equal to the equilibrium constant.
 If we add ferric chloride solution to the deep red-colored

solution containing ferric ions, thiocyanate ions and ferric
thiocyanate complex, the concentration of ferric ions increases.
As a result, more thiocyanate ions combine with ferric ions to
increase the [Fe (SCN)2+] complex and therefore the color
intensity of the red solution increases. The increase in
concentration of ferric ions shifts the equilibrium in the forward
direction.
 If we increase the concentration of thiocyanate, more ferric ions
react with thiocyanate ions to increase the [Fe(SCN)2+]
complex. As a result, the color intensity of the red solution
increases. Thus, the increase in concentration of thiocyanate
ions shifts the equilibrium in the forward direction.
 If we add potassium chloride to the solution, the concentration
of potassium ions increases.
It affects the equilibrium between potassium ions and thiocyanate

ions.
As the concentration of potassium ions increases, more

thiocyanate ions react with potassium ions to form more
potassium thiocyanate and the above equilibrium shift in the
backward direction occurs. As a result, the concentration of
thiocyanate ions decreases and the equilibrium 1 shifts in the
backward direction. In other words, some of the [Fe(SCN)2+]
complex dissociates to give Fe3+ and SCN- ions.
Page 7
As a result, the concentration of [Fe(SCN)2+] decreases and
therefore the intensity of red color decreases. Thus the increase
in concentration of K+ ions shifts the equilibrium in the backward
direction.
Generally we can say that;
 An increase in the concentration of the reactants shifts the

equilibrium in the forward direction and a decrease in the
concentration of the reactants shifts the equilibrium in the
backward direction.
 Similarly, an increase in concentration of the products shifts
the equilibrium in the backward direction and a decrease in
the concentration of the products shifts the equilibrium in the
forward direction.
3. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Distilled water, Methyl Orange (An acid-base indicator), Test
tubes, Hydrochloric acid and Sodium hydroxide.
4. PROCEDURE
1. In one test tube, 3 mL DI H2O is taken.
2. Then 2-3 drops of In-(methyl orange: an acid-base
indicator is mixed together in a small, clean test tube.
3. Drop by drop, 1 M HCl is added to the test tube.
4. Record the observations.
5. After the color change, the solution was swirled to mix.
6. To the same test tube, 1 M NaOH was added dropwise.
7. Record the observations.
Page 8
5. TABLE
Additions/Changes to Observations
the system
Initial color  Light yellow or orange
1 M HCl drops were added  Light pink or red as soon

as HCl drops were added
1 M NaOH drops were  Gradually becomes

added yellow
6. OBSERVATIONS
From the devised experiment, it can be concluded that red form of
methyl orange was the protonated indicator and the yellow form
was the un-protonated indicator. When methyl orange was in the
presence of 1 M HCL, a highly acidic substance, the solution
immediately became red. Water is always at a neutral pH of about
7 so it did not create the high acidity or protons in the reaction.
HCl completely or nearly completely dissociated, creating many
protons or H+. When the H+ was present, it bound to the N of the
indicator and made the solution red. The HCl was the acid
because it donated protons while the indicator became the base
or the conjugate acid because it accepted protons. Knowing that
HCl made protons which bound with the indicators that created
protonated indicators, it was seen that the red solution contained
the protonated.
Page 9
7. PRECAUTIONS
 Use test tubes of almost identical diameter.
 The intensity of color of a solution should be compared by
keeping it and the reference side by side and then observing
them from the top of the test tube.
Page 10
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Table Of Contents

Sl.No Particulars Page No.

Let's see how chemical equilibria behave when concentration

With the passage of time, there is a depletion of the reactants A

Law of Chemical Equilibrium-

The rate of reaction in either direction is proportional to the active

The rate of back wards reaction;

Effect of concentration change

 If we add ferric chloride solution to the deep red-colored

It affects the equilibrium between potassium ions and thiocyanate

As the concentration of potassium ions increases, more

 An increase in the concentration of the reactants shifts the

3. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

1 M HCl drops were added  Light pink or red as soon

1 M NaOH drops were  Gradually becomes

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